Touring snowboard boot binding

ABSTRACT

A snowboard boot binding directly securing a user in selective modes to a split ski board device for traversing over snow and ice covered terrain. The snowboard boot binding includes a boot mounting base with multiple direct locking features within the base interacting with mating interfaces on a split ski board touring binding interfaces. An axle axis system is disclosed which is connected to the binding boot base offset or adjacent the boot bed articulating the binding in a walking tour motion on the split ski board touring device. Transition positions including, a first touring free heel walk position over separated ski sections, a second locked heel ride position over joined ski sections, and a third position wherein the mounting base is not coupled to the split ski board during mode transition.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part and claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/716,136 entitled “MULTIPLE DIRECT LOCK POSITIONS FOR TOURING SKI MOUNTING PLATE” and filed on Mar. 2, 2010 which claimed priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/247,893 entitled “CONFIGURABLE SNOWSHOE AND SKI DEVICE” and filed on Oct. 7, 2005, for Lane Ekberg, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to the field of devices that traverse over snow, ice, and colder climates of the earth in a climbing or sliding fashion. Namely, boot retention devices otherwise known in the field as boot bindings, binding plates, mounting plates, mounting bases, touring snowboard boot bindings, touring ski bindings, soft shelled boot bindings, approach ski bindings, and the like and especially those meant for selective free heel touring and lock heel sliding positions for ski shaped touring devices. This invention also relates to boot bindings oriented mainly for soft shelled boots that serve a touring mode with which the user may move in a walking motion while connected to the device and may also secondarily connect to a sliding device such as a ski or touring device like a split ski board device using a snowboard boot binding. The present invention however could utilize hard-shell boots in some embodiments. Touring boot binding systems are used for retaining a boot to a particular device for traversing over snow and ice covered terrain in a walking fashion. These boot binding systems need to be very versatile to be selectively placed on the ski touring device in a touring walking or telemark or cross-country mode or in an additional mode for lock heel sliding especially when dealing with snowboard boots. Split-boards and/or touring snowboards require a touring binding assembly and separate mounting plate adaptors for attaching all manner of snowboard bindings to the adaptor plates. The adaptor plates selectively allow a touring position for a cross-country style ascension mode and a secondary mode to selectively lock the mounting plate adaptor position for sliding down hill. The user mounts a separate snowboard binding assembly and snowboard boot binding base to the mounting plate assembly which costs a lot and weighs a lot. When the touring binding base plate adaptor is mounted to the system it has the selective ability to pivot allowing a walking motion. Generally the touring pivot position on these systems is located rearward the toe and under the mounting plate top surface creating a limited pivot or a weak touring hinge.

Said prior art also has the ability to accept standard issue snowboard binding systems using three hole and four hole mounting disks which are mounted with screws or bolts to the mounting base creating a sandwich of parts. Additionally, the mounting plate, in one prior art embodiment may optionally change from a walking pivot binding position by a quick-release axle located at a toe region on the base plate adaptor to a fixed non-walking “sliding” position by simply selectively reconnecting the base plate adaptor at a region between the heel and toe region of the base plate portion of the touring binding system in which the touring pivot is stopped.

The present invention overcomes the prior art by offering a snowboard boot binding that has a quick-release axle from a configurable ski touring interface without having to use a separate adaptor to form a touring mode for the binding. The snowboard boot binding is the adaptor touring/locked heel interface and the boot rests directly upon its (configurable ski interface) structures directly with means to secure the snowboard boot to the said binding multiple mode interface. The snowboard boot binding interface in this disclosure is called a mounting plate, mounting base, binding, and the like.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of selective pivot touring snowboard boot binding systems especially mounting plates, mounting bases, used on ski systems, split ski and board device type systems, cross-country ski systems, snowshoe systems, skiboards, and touring ski/board device systems able to transition the snowboard boot binding to a variety of ride modes without the need of an adaptor plate used in the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Touring skis, split-boards, and touring snowboards in general have a specific binding plate/base or mounting plate/base adaptor which is a separate piece from the snowboard binding assembly and a secondary base plate. These snowboard binding assemblies may or may not include straps mounted to the base and the snowboard binding base mounted to the mounting plate adaptor. If straps are included they typically have ratchets buckles for adjusting different snowboard boot sizes within the binding assembly. Skis also have a mounting plate for boots or hard shell boots. Some manufacturers have binding configurations to accept soft shelled boots. In some instances strapless systems or even some strap designs are used for a hands free step-in type engagement to the device for riding on some ski touring devices.

In the current state of the art, snowboard boot mounting plates for touring skis, touring snowboards, and split-ski/boards are all limited by cumbersome binding systems which have complex hardware, a multitude of parts, adaptors, and adaptor interfaces that take up space, weight, money, and time. Furthermore, the current state of the art does not provide a snowboard boot binding that has material removed to reduce the weight of the mounting plate and make the boot sole visible through a window in the mounting plate or to move quick release items through the snowboard boot base or boot bed.

All current configurable ski touring snowboard boot binding systems have a complex binding set-up that is heavy, requires an adapter plate to bolt to, and provides a sandwich of parts which require a tool to secure the bolts and screws. There lacks a snowboard boot binding system that can allow selective touring walking ski pivots wherein the adaptor is part of the device binding as one unit and universally accepted on a ski, snowshoe, split-ski/board combination type devices and the like. Some prior art mounting plates/bases for a boot to rest on consists of a single pivot axis for walking in a touring mode and it is typically fixed so that the touring axis mode can never unlock releasing the binding from the touring position in a quick-release fashion. However, some touring snowboard boot bindings may be mounted via bolt or screw to an adaptor plate which has a quick-release touring axle which releases the adaptor plate. The prior art snowboard touring systems teach a standard utility which uses a standard 3 or 4 hole disk used in most snowboard binding boot mounting systems. Furthermore these systems selectively connected to the adaptor plate with the use of tools and screws/bolts to connect the said snowboard binding assembly to the mounting plate adaptor. In short, the prior art snowboard boot touring bindings have not produced a mounting plate interface that the snowboard boot can be mounted directly on while connected adjacent to two configurable ski sections. Furthermore, prior art snowboard boot bindings have not produced a boot bed with a boot sole window allowing the boot bottom to be visible through the boot bed when the boot is mounted to the boot bed or to allow quick release items to pass through the boot bed window directly.

There is also a need in the art of winter ski touring and snowboard touring to provide a touring snowboard boot binding mounting base single unit which has the ability to connect and disconnect at the toe region of the snowboard boot binding mounting base so that the binding mounting base can be separated from the device and can be reconnected to the device or separate device between the toe and the heel region of the snowboard boot binding base “directly” eliminating the need for a separate interfaces or plates to achieve, free heel walking position, a locked heel stance, or non-pivotal gliding stance or transition mode. The snowboard boot binding mounting base/plate could be used on quick connection interfaces of a snowshoe, ski, snowboard, or split-ski/board type devices and except soft shelled boots. In further embodiments, the boot bed or mounting base may be mounted over two configurable ski sections. The two ski section are selectively moved to from a joined sliding surface or the two joined ski sections are selectively separated climbing surface adjacent an articulating binding mounting base. In further embodiments a hard shelled boot could also be used in a separate configuration or embodiment or a strapless step-in system with the mounting plate design. There is also a need for a touring snowboard boot binding system mounting base that is very compact, strong, and light weight. Additionally, a need exists for a binding that is very sturdy and strong but remains light weight and can be utilized on split-skiboard, snowboard, touring ski, telemark ski, separate climbing cleat, or snowshoe or hybrid devices using a boot bed interface in the form of a snowboard boot mounting base.

What is also needed is a snowboard boot binding base boot-bed structure that is selectively connected to the axle pin axis eliminating the need of snowboard boot binding adaptor plates. Additionally, torsion stiffness between the rider and the sliding device is much improved with the pin directly mounted to the snowboard boot binding mounting base and ski device interface. In certain embodiments axle pin, mounting base, and boot variations could be used.

What is needed is a touring pin retainer to hold the touring axis and pin offset the front of the boot bed allowing a more favorable position for the touring snowboard boot binding articulation. Prior art pivots are further back under the foot bed creating a less effective pivot point for articulating the touring snowboard boot binding over configurable ski sections in free heel touring.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not been fully solved by current available touring snowboard boot binding systems and mounting plates or mounting bases for snowboard boots to be used on touring skis, split ski boards, snowshoes, and touring snowboards. The title “Multiple direct touring positions for snowboard boot binding mounting base” of this application basically is derived from a broader utility taught herein regarding touring, climbing, and sliding ski shaped devices with “one” boot binding apparatus herein disclosed. Said boot binding mounting base having a universal usefulness in switching climbing and gliding modes in a plurality of winter devices such as ski shaped devices and hybrid devices split ski board devices that allow free heel climbing modes and locked heel sliding modes selectively. In addition, mounting base boot beds specifically designed for snowboard boots may be mounted directly over two configurable ski sections in climb and glide modes is also emphasized as core functions of the invention overcoming the prior art need to bolt or screw a snowboard boot binding mounting plate to an adaptor. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method and or devices for overcoming the short comings of the art including a touring snowboard boot binding mounting base that attaches snowboard boots to climb and glide ski shaped devices like touring skis, snowboards, split-ski/boards, snowshoes, and crampons, with the use of a rigid removable axle axis interface located in the toe region of the mounting base of the touring snowboard boot binding providing a touring mode interface making possible a walking motion when attached to the touring configurable ski device interface. Additionally, the touring snowboard boot binding system or boot mounting base may also have mountable means for touring, sliding, traction, snowshoe, ski, or split ski board type systems to be applied in separate embodiments to increase options in uphill free heel climbing traction or downhill locked heel sliding modes. In one embodiment the selective axle pivot pin axis position may be located on the front half of the binding base, middle region of the mounting base, or rear half of the snowboard boot binding base. In a further embodiment the boot is unable to slide off the mounting base area because of the use of a boot retaining system. In another embodiment the mounting base front toe portion is in a turned upward fashion or has a slight upward bend or upward structure from the boot bed, or quick release structure from the boot bed, to further prevent the boot from moving forward in the mounted position on the mounting base, and or in other embodiments to aid in securing or accommodating the pivot pin for the touring walking mode or other quick release objects. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the said selective touring snowboard boot mounting base may be configured to accept selective axle positions located on the mounting base allowing the snowboard boot to pivot on or connect to a device such as a ski, board, snowboard, split ski board, or snowshoe or other modes. The boot mounting base may be placed in a second position interface so the touring snowboard boot binding cannot walk pivot on items such as a touring snowboard, split ski/board device, approach ski, or other lock heel ski device interfaces on free heel climb and locked heel slide devices in the snow. The snowboard boot mounting base or plate is able to perform all of the above utility without the use of complex systems, adaptors, binding plates/bases, parts, tools, screws, bolts, and the like, etc. These advantages overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the prior art. Most importantly, these advantages create a boot retaining mounting base which directly locks and unlocks in quick-release fashion a downhill sliding locked heel mode position and a secondary quick-lock and release touring position. The snowboard boot mounting base has an optional walking mode for touring with an axle pin anchored to the boot mounting base and a secondary boot mounting base lock or locks reward the first mode or axle dock. Additionally the boot mounts directly to the mounting base plate eliminating the need for a bulky binding adaptor plates/bases of the prior art. In another embodiment, these advantages create a locked heel sliding position over two ski sections or a free heel touring position over opened ski sections. In a further embodiment, windows in the mounting plate may allow the bottom tread portion of the boot to be visible through the boot bed of the mounting plate. In another embodiment the axis is offset the bootbed.

The current invention, in various embodiments, connects a snowboard boot bed (mounting plate) directly over two connected ski sections in a locked heel mode and a free heel mode where the boot bed pivots when ski sections have been separated. In one embodiment the device may include a mounting base for a boot to rest upon, namely a boot mounting base with direct strap connection means on either side of the boot mounting base for which a resilient strap can be mounted to the sides of the boot mounting base. In a separate embodiment the boot mounting base contains flanges or walls extending from the boot bed of the boot mounting base for the straps to be mounted. In another embodiment the said snowboard boot mounting base contains an axle pivot pin retainers and axis portion offset the front portion of the boot bed for an improved touring motion of the snowboard binding, and a secondary selective locking position and locking means rearward the touring region locking area on the boot mounting base. The secondary lock position rearward the touring lock position prevents the boot mounting base from moving while coupled to the device in a locked heel mode. In further embodiments, rail structures, rib structures, flanges, walls, windows, and the like can be used to provide structure for the ride interface transition and in combination with spring loaded mechanisms, levers, pins, and latches.

This boot binding system mounting base may be configured to be used on any winter device that selectively locked heel glides over snow or free heel climbs over snow from the group consisting of snowshoes, touring skis, telemark skis, touring snowboards, split ski boards, snowboards, snowboard boot bindings, and snowshoe ski hybrid devices. Please note that the boot mounting base can be referred as mounting plate, binding plate, binding base, mounting base, or other names that describe the binding boot mounting system named in this invention. Additionally, boots, snowboard boots, ski boots and the like can also be referred as the possible footwear to be mounted directly to the interface.

In one embodiment the touring boot binding system consisting of an axle pivot pin portion selectively connected to the snowboard boot mounting plate ski interface able to lock and unlock from position on at least one interface mounted on the touring ski or formed with the touring ski or mounted on a touring split ski board, or ski other ski shaped devices. Additionally, in a further embodiment, traction can be removable coupled to the axle pivot pin in the area on the ski located adjacent the boot of the user when the boot binding base is locked to a touring board, snowshoe, split ski board or other ski system. In another embodiment the traction can be removably coupled adjacent the axle pivot pin or adjacent the rear half portion of the mounting base.

In one embodiment traction when detached from a touring ski, touring snowboard, spilt ski/board or snowshoe device may be mounted separately to the boot mounting base. Thus, it becomes a crampon when coupled only with the footwear. In further embodiments the traction could come from another source other than the riding device.

The prior art concepts for a soft shelled boot touring binding system particularly for snowboard boots all utilize designs that the user must use a separate snowboard binding base adaptor piece with holes oriented for attaching snowboard binding base and 3-4 hole disk to be mounted by bolt or screw to the separate mounting plate adaptor. The said adaptor includes a touring pivot in the toe region and secondary locking points in the adaptor to stop the walking tour pivot especially when in a snowboard mode thus created more weight and manufacturing than is necessary. Typical split-board bindings in the prior art utilize such bindings, adaptors, and interfaces. The present invention overcomes the prior art by providing a snowboard boot mounting plate or base with a quick release detachable walking mode which includes a detachable touring axle pivot pin axis directly to the mounting base binding and device ski interface and a secondary lock position also located on the boot mounting plate or boot base which is a locked heel position for a fixed slide mode on a ski touring device meaning the boot binding cannot pivot while coupled to the ski shaped device. In one embodiment of the present invention the heel is locked in a fixed or non-touring mode for sliding on a ski shaped device like a snowboard, split ski board, or touring ski by a locking mechanism connected to the ski shaped device that engages the underside of the boot mounting plate by a locking movement or mechanism or pin that runs parallel with the a longitudinal direction on the boot mounting plate or the direction the footwear or snowboard boot points. Also, on the same boot mounting plate the touring pivot axle can engage in a transverse position in the boot mounting plate longitudinal axis and secure it to the touring configurable ski sections. In a separate embodiment the heel lock may also run locking movements or fixed mechanisms parallel with the touring position locking motion.

In one embodiment the axle pivot pin used for the touring mode on the mounting plate as well as a locking tool reward the touring pivot dock on the mounting plate has quick-release and quick-attaching features allowing it to change position in a quick easy manner from the touring mode to other modes within the mounting plate. The axle pivot pin may have, in a separate embodiment, connective features on the axle to hold axle permanently or non-permanently in the boot base to facilitate locking and unlocking the axle pivot pin axis or axes from any locked mode or travel mode position interface. Exampled features disclosed herein as examples only are a cotter pin and c-clamp though a multitude of systems could be used within the spirit of the invention. The cotter pin offering a quick-release option for the axle pivot pin. It must be noted that a multitude of options exist to secure both ends of the axle by features present on both ends of the axle which prevent the axle from sliding one way or another from its locked position due to features on at least one side of the axle pivot pin that secure it to either the mounting base or the configurable ski section. In a separate embodiment at least one feature on one side of the axle or axle dock may be released or moved to allow the axle pivot pin releasing movement from its docked position on another interface. In another embodiment the axle pivot pin has been made longer then axles pivot pins and clevis pins in the prior art to create a longer span of strength for the rider of the climbing sliding device. In one embodiment the axle pivot pin ends extend beyond the periphery of the devices it selectively mounts to. In another embodiment the axle has been made shorter but is oriented in dimensions that have suitable strength to facilitate the utility of this named invention. It is obvious that a multitude of metals could be used or other materials, bends, axle structures, axle positions, axle retainers, to construct the axle pin to work in accordance with the present invention of connecting a boot directly to the riding device quick release interfaces.

The boot mounting base design in one embodiment consists of a boot bed for which the boot sits directly on, two flanges or walls in the foot bed for resilient straps to be mounted to connect a boot to the top plane of the foot bed. In further embodiments flange or wall embodiments could be bolted, screwed, welded, or riveted and the like to the boot base. In one embodiment the axle pivot pin locking/docking areas are located adjacent the sole “plane” of the mounted boot with in at least two ribs, walls, spring loaded latch, latch, curves, axle mating structures, or rail structures and the like which support the axle pivot in a locked state in an interface and the boot mounting base. In separate embodiments portions of at least one of a wall, rib, flange, or rail extend from the boot mounting base foot bed. The boot mounting base has pivot pin locking areas in the toe region of the boot mounting plate for the walking tour mode and secondary locking areas and structures rearward the toe pivot for a locked heel mode or a snowshoe pivotal mode, or even a secondary telemark binding plate touring position rearward the touring pivot. The axle pivot pin generally is in a transverse position on the riding device longitudinal axis and boot mounting base when inserted in both and locked to interfaces of the split-ski/board, ski, board, snowshoe, hybrid, binding plate interface. In a further embodiment the boot mounting base has material removed creating a window or aperture. This material could be from the boot bed area or adjacent the boot bed area to form the window. In further embodiments there could be a series of windows, ribs, beams, window shapes, in the boot bed. This is advantageous to reduce weight, create boot bed structures, add locking points or structures, or add simple weight reducing aesthetics. In an embodiment only one lock feature is used to couple the boot mounting base in the locked heel mode for downhill sliding on the ski touring device. In a further embodiment the one lock feature is reward the touring lock feature wherein the touring lock feature is left unlocked while a different lock feature reward the touring lock feature is locked. In another embodiment windows are placed in between a first and second locking feature of the mounting base.

The boot mounting base in one embodiment has at least three separate lock points regions provided across the boot mounting plate with at least two or three selectively providing a locked heel sliding mode. In further embodiments the touring mode position can remain in a the first touring position axle axis with the boot mounting plate able to selectively use a secondary lock interface to form lock heel mode without having to move the boot mounting plate out of touring mode. In a further embodiment at least one lock region comprises two lock features to facilitate locking the one region. The first interface region is a touring mode interface, the second interface region is a touring mode or lock heel mode interface region reward the touring mode region towards the mid plate, and the third interface region is reward the mid region of the boot mounting plate. The locking points could be moved to facilitate other designs without leaving the spirit of a three interface region boot mounting plate in one embodiment or more embodiments of the present invention.

In another embodiment the touring snowboard boot mounting base has a touring pin or axis over at least one top portion of the mounting base surface mounted adjacent the boot bed wherein the top portion of the mounting base is facing upward and is directly adjacent the boot sole which is facing downward. Touring pin positions in the prior art have been below the boot bed on the downward facing side of the mounting base with a snowboard boot binding mounting plate mounted on top of the mounting base with screws or bolts. In another embodiment the touring pin is held in curved structures offset the front of the boot bed in the toe region. This position is highly advantageous because it allows a wider range of articulation of the mounting base in the touring mode. In another embodiment the curved structures holding the touring pin could be in the form of a rib type structure, a saddle, a retainer, a cylinder, and the lick. Prior art mounting bases with snowboard boot binding plates mounted thereon have touring pin positions further back and further below the boot bed which causes less of a pivotal range of the mounted boot.

In further embodiments the snowboard boot mounting base has at least one structure moving directly through its surface area to provide a quick release action. Many objects could be used including pins, levers, spring loaded devices, two pins pointing in the same direction to lock a portion of the mounting base, two pins pointing from different directions to lock the mounting base, bolts, screws straps, step-in systems, crampon interfaces, a lock to lock the ski sections and the mounting base at the same time, etc.

In one embodiment or several embodiments and in accordance with the present invention the ski touring device is a climb and slide hybrid device or split ski board that has at least two disconnecting ski sections that move in and out of a uniform sliding mode to a touring mode or climbing mode. For the climbing mode the two ski sections have been placed in a new position where they have been moved apart and separated to be used as climbing tools or walking tools in the snow while the boot binding base can articulate in a walking motion. This is done by unlocking the two ski sections of the touring device using ski section locks so that the two ski sections can no longer be spanned by the snowboard boot binding in the locked heel sliding “ride” mode and the snowboard boot binding is now in a free heel “tour” walking mode with the ski sections separated. When touring mode is complete and sliding mode is needed the two ski sections can be selectively moved together again (and joined) with the snowboard boot binding spanning the two ski sections forming a more uniform sliding surface. In further embodiments traction can be placed on the said snowboard boot binding or the said touring ski device or ski sections. In another embodiment the boot binding base can disconnect from the riding device to form an alternate climbing or sliding mode. The snowboard boot binding base in one embodiment or more embodiments may have a window, an aperture, a flange, an axle/pin, an interface, a cleat, a bolt, a rivet, a weld, a wall, an edge, a hole, a square window, a girder, a box girder, a pin/axle interface, lever, in its mid region, in the toe region, at the side region, strap mounts, metal, plastic, carbon fiber, wood, resin, and any other structure to facilitate the invention on climb and glide devices and interfaces in accordance with the present invention. It would be obvious to one skilled in the art to add technology including prior art step-in technology, new step-in technology, strap technology, metal technology, plastic technology, streamlined manufacturing, milling technology, die casting technology, axle retainers technology, or the like to embodiments of the present invention without leaving its sprit of innovation of providing a mounting base for a snowboard boot to rest “directly” on without relying on bolting or screwing on a secondary snowboard binding plate with straps found in the prior art. The direct boot to binding interface described herein overcomes the previous drawbacks found in the prior art of touring snowboard boot bindings.

The component references used to describe the utility like cotter pins, bolts, screws, and the like are used as a model to teach the utility of the invention. Other references for configurable ski include ski section, split ski, split board, split ski board, splitboard, and the like. It is obvious that a multitude of components could be used outside of the defining props to teach and to facilitate multiple direct snowboard boot binding mounting and interface lock positions for a touring snowboard boot mounting base with a configurable ski.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, and advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features or advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the invention as set forth hereunder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view illustrating the boot binding mounting plate with direct locking zones for, free heel skiing, locked heel skiing, snowshoeing, touring snowboarding, and split-ski boarding with walls, flanges, girders, axle pin docks, and the like in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 2 a is a top perspective view illustrating the boot binding mounting plate prior art requiring a snowboard boot binding plate to be mounted to the mounting base and the touring pivot behind the front of the binding and underneath the mounting plate top surface.

FIG. 2 b is a top perspective view of a boot mounted directly to the mounting base and the touring pivot structure in front of the boot bed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 c is a prior art front prospective illustration of a mounting base in the prior art utilizing a pivot pin transversely through the plane of a thin wall with a separate boot binding base plate connected via bolts or screws over the top of the pin and mounting base.

FIG. 2 d is a top perspective view of the mounting base including a touring pin mount position at the front portion of the boot binding with the pin hinge having placement at a more forward location with the hinge support having substantial material width to support the pin in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a side perspective view illustrating the boot binding mounting base and direct locking zones for, free heel skiing, locked heel skiing, touring snowboarding, snowshoeing, and split-ski/boarding in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is a prior art illustration of a top plan view of the touring pin position reward the front portion boot bed with one pivot pin pointing in a single direction.

FIG. 3 c is a top plan view of at least two axle pins pointing in the same direction working together to secure the binding in a removably coupling mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of the binding boot mounting base system and in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a view of a prior art mounting plate adaptor with connective features for mounting a secondary mounting plate and snowboard boot binding assembly and necessary hardware.

FIG. 4 c is a top perspective view of a prior art snowboard boot binding plate mounting base and a touring position reward the front underneath portion of the mounting base.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating an embodiment of the boot binding mounting plate and multiple quick-locking quick-release components for locked heel and free heel climbing modes supported by structures in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a quick-attaching and quick-releasing mounting plate boot binding with a touring mode and a secondary locked heel mode for use on a snowshoe, touring ski, split ski/board, or a snowboard able to lock directly to the interface with the positional and quick-release pivot pin axle and or a secondary locking elements.

FIG. 7A depicts various views illustrating the mounting plate and quick-release coupling system and at least two mounting plate locking positions, removably coupled cleat/traction, on a ski shaped riding device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a top plan view illustrating the mounting plate with rail structures or flange structures which support the axle pivot pin especially in the toe region in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a top perspective view of an illustration of a prior art mounting base for a snowboard boot binding mounting plate to attach thereto via bolts/screws with a single action clamping system.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view illustrating a climbing ski/hybrid or split ski/board with two detachable ski sections, snowboard boot binding, and a touring axle pivot pin and boot mounting plate binding assembly and secondary locking heel lock for sliding mode when ski sections are joined and locked.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view illustration of boot mounting devices on snowboard boot binding plate with an axle pivot mode on the plate mounted to a split ski/board with secondary locking heel modes and said snowboard boot binding mounted directly over the split ski sections in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a bottom view of the binding plate and quick-release axle pivot pin which extends beyond the periphery of the mounting plate surface with the two ends having locking features directly in the design of the axle pivot pin surface area as well as a box girder or frame in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustration an embodiment of a binding mounting plate axle pivot pin direct locking points and structures below the plane of the boot sole and in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view illustration an embodiment of a binding mounting plate axle pivot pin direct locking points and structures extending below the plane of the boot bed and locking points across the plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a top plan view illustrating a mounting base working with utility from the group consisting of two configurable ski sections, an ideal touring position, and quick release items moving through a portion of the mounting base including the snowboard boot foot bed in one embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13B is an illustration of a removable quick-release pivot axle pivot pin with axle pivot pin locking points (apertures, holes, or grooves) on either side of the axle pivot pin together with a touring ski binding interface assembly.

FIG. 14A is one embodiment illustrating boot bed positions, rail, positions, flange or wall positions, and structures for a mounting plate binding with a snow repellant guard piece in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a top perspective view of the selective touring boot mounting base with windows or apertures in the boot bed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14C is a side perspective view of the selective touring mounting plate with straps connected to the mounting plate and a separate embodiment of the boot bed position in the front half of the boot mounting plate.

FIG. 15 is a side plan view illustrating a prior art position of a boot sole unable to make direct contact with the pivot pin.

FIG. 16 is one embodiment illustrating an axle pivot pin able to make direct contact the pivot pin or face the pin directly from within the boot bed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is illustrating an axle pivot pin which faces the boot directly while being held in a top portion of the mounting base.

FIG. 18 is an embodiment illustrating the boot mounting plate binding connected to a snowshoe/ski hybrid touring mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates the mounting plate binding in free heel mode in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 20 illustrates side view of an embodiment of the boot mounting plate with recessing traction in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates side view of an embodiment of the boot mounting plate with recessed traction in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the multiple locking points for free heel and locked heel travel modes including a box girder structure for supporting the locking structures on the bottom side of the boot mounting plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view illustrating a selective touring ski device with the boot mounting plate binding attached in locked heel position in accordance with the present invention. The touring mode on the boot mounting plate binding is also shown “unlocked” in the illustration.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view illustrating a snowboard with an interface equipped to except the boot mounting plate binding in a locked heel configuration in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the boot mounting plate, axle pivot pin, and boot mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a bottom plan view of the boot mounting plate/base, releasable axle axis, detachable traction, and two touring modes and a locked heel mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 27 a is a top plan view of the boot mounting plate/base, releasable axle axis, detachable traction, and two touring modes and a locked heel mode in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 27 b is a top plane view of a prior art snowboard boot binding mount base preventing the snowboard boot direct contact with the mounting base because of the second needed piece being snowboard boot binding plate to be mounted to the mounting base.

FIG. 27 c is a top plane view of the mounting base allowing a snowboard boot direct mounted contact with the mounting base and a quick release item that can move through the bootbed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a split ski/board device with two ski sections separated in touring mode and boot mounting plate in touring mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view of a split ski/board device with two ski sections in ski mode in and boot mounting plate mounted above the ski sections in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 30A is a top plan view of a split ski/board device with two ski sections out in touring mode and boot mounting plate in touring mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 30B is another top plan view of a split ski/board device with two ski sections out in touring mode and boot mounting plate in touring mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of a split ski board device with two ski sections out in touring mode and mounting plate in touring mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of ski sections selectively locked in ski mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 33A is a ski shaped device.

FIG. 33B is a ski shaped device able to move itself into multiple split ski device sections in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating a climb and slide device with two ski sections moving in and out of tour mode and ski mode in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 35 a is a top plan view illustrating the mounting base integrated into the sole of a boot constituting a mounting base for securing a boot to modes of locked heel and free heel travel.

FIG. 35 b is a bottom perspective view illustrating a snowboard boot with a mounting base integrated into the sole of the snowboard boot.

FIG. 35 c is a side perspective view of a step-in snowboard boot mounting base.

FIG. 36 is a snowboard boot with amounting base in the sole of the boot.

FIG. 37 is a snowboard boot with amounting base in the sole of the boot.

FIG. 38 is a snowboard boot with amounting base in the sole of the boot.

FIG. 39 is a snowboard boot with amounting base in the sole of the boot mounted to a ski touring device.

FIG. 40 is a snowboard boot with amounting base in the sole of the boot.

FIG. 41 is a snowboard boot mounting base plan showing the boot sole resting directly to the base in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics, of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or describe in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a mounting plate 90A with a touring mode section 60 at the toe region of the boot mounting plate 90A which accepts the detachable quick attaching axle pivot pin axis 61 at hole 63 and allows the boot mounting plate 90A to attach to the top surface of a skiing device interface (not shown) and detach from that location from the skiing device. The boot mounting plate 90A also has at least one secondary locking feature 59, 40, and 70 behind the touring 63 axle pivot pin axis 61 location. This second locking feature 59, 40, and 70, may be in the form of an axle pivot pin 61 which the ski touring device interface (not shown) and the boot mounting plate 90A in a transverse position 115 through the boot mounting plate 90 longitudinal axis. In another embodiment a secondary locking feature moves in a back and forth motion through heel lock feature 70 in wherein the motion is parallel or longitudinal to the side of the boot mounting plate 90A. In another embodiment the touring mode axis 63 allows the axle pivot pin 61 to reside in the boot mounting plate 90A so it is visible while residing in the mounting plate boot bed top side or adjacent the boot bed while the binding is top side up.

The boot mounting plate 90A contains a boot bed surface 101 and 130 for the snowboard boot to rest directly upon when coupled to the boot mounting plate 90A. In one embodiment Surface 126 and 125 are positioned below the surface 101 of the boot mounting base 90A allowing the locking components movement below surface 101 and 130. In a further 90A embodiment the touring axel pin retainer 115 axis is offset the boot bed 130 front position with structures 60 to retain the pin 61 or 1002 (not shown) and at the same time the mounting base 90A has at least one upward facing mounting base surface facing the downward pin face with no mounting base structure above the pin opposite the downward pin face. In other words in one embodiment the touring pin and or axis is held in an open cradle allowing the boot sole direct contact to the touring pin or to face the touring pin directly in at least one touring mode. The pivot pin 61 (not shown) in one embodiment is positioned above the base structure of the mounting plate 90A and adjacent the boot sole and facing the boot sole directly while the bottom side of the pin 61 faces the mounting base 90A. Touring axis pin dock 63 is located on structures protruding from the boot bed 101. This offset pin 61 and axis 115 position from the boot bed 101 provides an enhanced articulation of the mounting base 90A not found in the prior art. Wall or rail structures 110 are also positioned below the boot bed surface 101 and or boot sole bottom plane (not shown) allowing the locking mechanism support means in one or more of the preferred embodiments 63, 59, 40, and 70 for a quick-release and quick-attaching locked heel mode with portions to be situated underneath the boot bed 101. It must be noted that the touring mode 60 may have axle pivot pin 61 in holes 63 to lock the front half boot mounting plate 90 portion to a riding device locking interface (not shown) and at the same time have at least one secondary locking feature in an area of the boot mounting plate portion 140 and the secondary locking structures on the boot mounting plate 90A are supported rails 110 preventing a walking motion. This locked heel slide mode is contained in an area 140 and is advantageous when descending on a ski device such as a ski or joined sections of a split ski/board especially in a steep alpine setting. In one embodiment wall or rail structures 110 comprise of a pair of side walls running parallel under the foot bed top surface 101 “plane” of the boot mounting plate 90A. Features contained within the walls 110 constitute locking features to hold the boot mounting plate 90 to a separate removeably coupling locking interface for a free heel or locked heel mode. It would be obvious for one skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure to attempt a separate embodiment of locking structures on the underside of the boot mounting plate 90A under the foot bed 101 plane or boot sole plane or adjacent the plane or above the bootbed plane in combination with a touring pivot mode 63 that is detachable and carry out an important aspect of the invention. It would be equally obvious to attempt a separate embodiment of locking structures on the topside of the mounting plate 90A adjacent, offset, or on the foot bed 101 and adjacent the mounted boot sole. The present invention provides a mounting plate 90A allowing the snowboard boot direct mount ability to the mounting base/plate 90A.

In one embodiment the snowboard boot mounting plate 90A side portion wall 115 includes boot attachment means with holes 24 whereby hardware such as bolts and screws or rivets (not shown) can couple at least “one” of the straps 12 and 31 or strap connections/walls to the boot mounting plate 90A, though other boot mounting devices or systems could be used such as step-in systems or other yet to be invented systems. Secondary lock features 59, 40, and 70 are preferred embodiments though other embodiments may be used to lock a rear portion of the touring mounting plate below the boot bed creating a locked heel mode when the free heel touring mode is not desired simply by quick release and quick attaching means. In a separate embodiment locking features 59, 40, and 70 could be supported above the boot bed plane. The boot mounting plate 90A is preferably constructed in metals including aluminum but may be made in materials suitable for colder climates including thermo set plastics, resins, wood, poly carbonate, carbon fiber, steel, and the like, etc.

FIG. 2 a is a top plan view of the mounting base 212 found in the prior art. This mounting base 212 has mounting holes 213 for mounting a snowboard boot binding mounting plate (not shown). The touring axis 102 for a touring pin (not shown) is shown rearward the front portion of the mounting base 212. This prior art mounting plate 212 has several disadvantages including weight, function, and the requirement to add an additional mounting plate to the mounting base 212.

FIG. 2 b is a top plan view of the present invention illustrating the mounting base 201 which allows the snowboard boot sole 202 direct contact to the mounting base 201 when it is mounted by boot mounting means (not shown). The mounting base 201 has a touring position 1002 axis which a touring pin resides for articulating the mounting base 201 on a split board device. The touring pin axis 1002 is offset the boot bed 202 by way of curved structures 1704 which maintain the touring axis containing a touring pin which is cradled in 1704. This is a major improvement of previous splitboard bindings or snowboard boot touring bindings because of its utilization of an single touring interface snowboard binding combination eliminating the need for a mounting base and bolting a second mounting plate and straps creating a deep sandwich of parts and weight.

FIG. 2 c is a front cross sectional view illustrating of a prior art method of providing a mounting base 212 for connection to a riding touring device (not shown). Also shown is a screw 214 hole 213 for attaching a snowboard boot mount plate 211 to the top side of the mounting base 212. The snowboard boot 202 then rests directly upon the snowboard boot binding mounting plate 211. Touring axle 216 is shown under the top surface of the mounting base 212 and cradled in a thin wall 217 of the mounting base 212 bottom surface.

FIG. 2 d is a top plan view of one embodiment of a direct snowboard boot mount binding interface “mounting base” including a boot bed for a snowboard boot to sit upon 202 and a touring position 1704 offset the boot bed 202 in the form of a curved 1705 axle or touring pin retainer 1002. The touring pin retainer being wider than the thin wall retainer 217 of the prior art described in FIG. 2 c and its accompanying drawing.

FIG. 3 a is the snowboard boot mounting plate binding assembly 20 which comprises multiple binding travel modes including a free heel ski touring mode (walking mode) 60 similar to cross-country skiing mode with the binding mounting plate 90C able to pivot about an axis made possible by axle pivot pin 61 in a walking motion integrated in the boot bed or adjacent the boot bed. Pivot axle 61 is detachable in a quick release manner from its position in the touring mode 60 when connected to a separate touring ski interface and able to selectively reattach in a quick manner to hole 59 forming a locked heel binding configuration when reattached to a locked heel interface connected to a sliding device such as a split-able ski device. In a separate embodiment the device may be a split board ski 72 (FIG. 6) and allow pivot axis 59 to rotate the mounting plate 90C through the plane of the ski (not shown). If there is no opening through the device for the mounting plate 90C to rotate through when pivot axis 59 is used then the binding plate 90C will remain locked in a fixed lock heel mode because the mounting plate cannot rotate. When touring is again desired the axle pivot pin 61 is reentered through holes 63 and walls on the riding device binding interface (example. FIG. 32). In one embodiment the axle pivot pin 61 is selectively locked in place with locking features 27 on both sides of the axle pivot pin 61 which could include a cotter pin 23 and the c-clamp 69. In other embodiments the locking features of the axle pivot pin 60 could be changed but the spirit of the utility would remain the same of selectively securing the quick release axle from a ski touring device. Axle pivot pins in the prior art were placed under the foot bed attached to two thin walls. Pivot axle pin 61 is held offset the boot bed for better articulation of the mounting base on a split ski board device. In other embodiments the axle axis 61 or locking pin 56 may be fully surrounded by mounting plate 90C material so that its end is hidden when in a locked or unlocked mode or manufactured state. For example, locking pin 56 has metal locking axles or pins that are inside the manufactured piece of 56. It would be obvious for one skilled in the art to also place axle pin 61 in a similar fixed state within the binding mounting plate or skiing device interface to facilitate the invention without leaving its scope.

The locking mechanisms on the mounting plate 90C are unique from the prior art in that they lock the boot mounting plate 90C in two selective places in quick release quick attach fashion to winter climbing and sliding devices. The first is the touring pivot mode 60 in which the axle pivot pin 61 enters the boot binding plate 90C and device interface (not shown) 90C perpendicular motion 15 to the direction footwear/boot will point on the boot mounting plate 90C forming a transverse situation. In other words the pivot axle pin 61 inters the side of the binding and reappears on the other side allowing the cotter pin 23 to be inserted into cotter hole 22 in the releasable axle 61 outside the periphery of the boot mounting plate 90C holding the mounting plate 90C firmly in position with the ski touring flanged interface. On other portions of the boot mounting plate 90C secondary lock positions 59, 70, and 40 are located to facilitate a locked heel travel mode and work together with namely ski shaped devices in combination with the accessibility to the optional touring climbing mode. In a separate embodiment heel lock 56 is mounted to a ski device and enters the boot binding plate 90C in a longitudinal motion parallel to the direction the footwear will be pointed when mounted to the boot mounting plate 90C.

Thus the boot mounting plate 90C has the ability to directly attach to a touring interface for a walking motion. When another travel mode is desired the mounting plate 90C and axle pivot pin 61 can be repositioned directly to a separate locking interface. This second position of the boot mounting plate 90C prevents the binding from pivoting especially when skiing or splitboarding downhill. At the same time the mounting plate 90C has a snowboard boot mounting directly to its top surface in accordance with the present invention. In a further embodiment the mounting plate 90C is mounted adjacent to two configurable ski sections.

The boot mounting plate 90C includes holes 24 on the sides of the boot mounting plate 90 for securing namely soft shelled boots including snowboard boots. The mounting plate 90C in a separate embodiment may include a strap section 12 which holds the front half of the boot and a second strap section 31 that holds the rear half of boot. A heel piece 11 connected to the back half of the boot mounting plate 90C with high back 16 may also be included to offer more support to the rider. In a separate embodiment the boot mounting plate 90C may be configured as a strap-less step-in system with the same innovative features contained in the boot mounting plate 90 in accordance with the present invention. The mounting plate 90C has the ability to place locking pins above and below the plane of the boot bed or in curved shaped cradles to hold it adjacent the boot bed or the boot sole.

FIG. 3 b is a top view of the prior mounting base 212 showing the touring position behind the front of the mounting base front edge.

FIG. 3 c is a top plan view of the touring position 115 offset the front edge of the boot bed of the mounting base 201. In one embodiment the front half portion of the mounting base 201 may include at least two locking pins 61 pointed in the same direction to secure the mounting base to a touring mode 21. In another embodiment the mounting base may include at least two locking pin features 56 in the rear half portion of the mounting base 201. In another embodiment the mounting base 201 may have a pin retainer 60 offset the front of the mounting base 201 front.

FIG. 4A is a side perspective view of the mounting plate 90D illustrating a touring pivot 63 in the touring region 60 wherein the axle pivot rod 61 (not shown) can removably couple the touring mode 60 axle pivot pin 61 and releasing the boot mounting plate 90 D from a riding device interface. Pivot 59 may also offer a secondary locking region for the axle pivot pin 61 to be placed preventing the boot mounting plate 90D from pivoting in a walking motion in one embodiment. In a separate embodiment the pivot 59 can pivot the boot mounting plate 90D in a snowshoe style pivot or in a limited pivot before the touring region 60 makes contact with a second surface similar to telemark style pivoting. Further locking means in the heel region 70 can also be utilized for a secondary or third locking area in the boot mounting plate 90D. Thus from regions heel to toe the mounting plate can be selectively locked and unlocked in a quick-release quick-attaching manner whether for touring or for lock heel travel modes. Boot bed 101 allows a boot to rest upon its top surface. Walls 110 extend from the foot bed for supporting secondary locking means 70 and 59. The snowboard boot sole able to mount directly to the top side of the mounting plate 90D. In one embodiment mounting plate 90D is one solid piece and in other embodiments it is constructed from separate parts. The touring pivot 63 is offset the boot bed for enhanced articulation of the boot mounting plate 90C. In a further embodiment the mounting base 90D could be integrated into a snowboard boot sole.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a prior art binding assembly in U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,324. This assembly includes a separate mounting plate interface pieces 40, 39 system with a touring mode axle hole 41 for a clevis pin pivot rod. Separate mounting bolts and screws 44 s 44 w and 44 n which need a separate screw drew driver or wrench to attach snow board mounting plate 32 to the top 39 and 39 attaches to mounting base 40. Disk 31 is sandwiched onto the top side of the snowboard binding base 33 a. It is obvious that the prior art requires many components, pieces, plates, hardware, to carry out a touring mode and a locked hill mode. Mounting plate 90A, B, C, D in FIGS. 1-3 and 4A reduce the amount of parts needed to carry out a snowboard touring binding system. Additionally, mounting plate 90D in FIG. 4A when connected to its quick-attaching interface is actually sturdier than the prior art suggested in 4B. 4A offers better performance when attached to the riding device including a snowboard because of its lower connected profile and the snowboard boot directly attached to the interface itself. 4A is also much lighter because of few parts which is a necessary advantage when touring the back country. Boot mounting plate 90C overcomes all disadvantages of the prior art.

FIG. 4 c shows a top plan view of a prior art design in (U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,324) boot mounting base 212 a for securing a snowboard boot binding base plate (not shown) with screw holes 39 to mount the snowboard binding base plate to the mounting base 212 a. The problem with this design is its inability to directly connect the snowboard boot sole directly to 212 b because of the requirement of an additional snowboard binding plate thus adding weight and expense. Axle pin hole 41 in the design is located on a thin wall of the mounting base and reward the front of the mounting base so that the pin is entirely tucked under the mounting base with the exception of two ends protruding the outer periphery of the mounting base. The problematic result of the design is the clearance of space between the boot sole parked on a separate base from the touring pin axis located entirely under the mounting plate in a separate base. Additionally, the mounting base 212 a for mounting a snowboard boot binding plate prevents the ability to mount a snowboard boot directly to the mounting base 2012 a because of the need to first mount a snowboard boot binding plate which provides boot connection means in accordance with the prior art of mounting snowboard boots over two separate ski parts that selectively form a uniform sliding surface for gliding over the snow. Touring position 45 is shown with thin walled construction limiting strength and durability. Additionally the pivot location 41 rearward the front of the binding causes the articulation of the binding to be limited in the pivot range. The present invention over comes this by placing the pivot offset the front of the boot bed increasing the pivotal range of the mounting base in the walking motion.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the boot mounting base 90E in accordance with the present invention. The boot mounting base 90E is shown with a box support girder or frame type structure 195 with at least two side walls 110 and perpendicular structure 112 connected to the bottom of the mounting base 90E at surface 101. This structure makes up a box or frame type girder for supporting locking structures to prevent the boot mounting base 90E from making a free heel touring movement. This is called a locked heel position especially for descending snow covered slopes on a skiing device. Locking structures in one or more of the disclosed embodiments may be carried out in regards to locking features 40, 70, and 77. One or more of these locking regions could be utilized. It must be noted that other locking means and interfaces could be utilized in carrying out the invention without leaving its scope. The snowboard boot attaching directly to the mounting base 90E. In one embodiment the mounting base 90E my utilize at least one locking mechanism which has two pin structures 75 pointing in the same direction to lock a travel mode of the said mounting base 90E. In another embodiment lever 72 is used to lock and unlock a travel mode directly through the mounting base 90E. In a further embodiment the mounting base 90E is mounted over a two section configurable touring ski and wherein the mounting base 90E may be secured to the two ski sections (not shown) with lever 75. See FIGS. 8, 9, 30-32.

The axle pivot pin 61 is shown in several possible docking locked locations including 63, and 59. It may also, in a separate embodiment selectively dock and lock into 40 to lock to the rear half of the boot mounting base 90E. In one embodiment quick-release and quick attaching components allowing the mounting base 90E the ability to move on and off a touring ski device or splitboard device. The axle pivot pin 61 of the boot mounting plate 90E is in a transverse span in the mounting base 90E. Furthermore the structures or shapes at either end of the axle pivot pin 61 including the axle pivot pin 61 itself could prevent the axle from falling out of its locked positions on the configurable ski touring device or split ski/board. The axle pivot pin 61 is unique in comparison to the prior art wherein it transversely spans the full length of the boot mounting base 90E snowboard binding base so much so that it's two outer edges extend the periphery of the boot mounting base 90E cradles in two areas when the axle pivot pin 61 is docked and locked to the ski touring device. The longer axle pivot pin 61 construction offers a more robust touring pivot providing more turn response when a rider is connected to the mounting base 90E riding a ski device. The axle pivot pin 61 in a preferred embodiment is made of metal though any rigid material could carry out the invention in regards to an improved touring pivot axle pin as disclosed herein. In further embodiments windows/apertures are present within the boot mounting base 195 to reduce weight as well as move objects vertically through the boot bed. The mounting base 90E in another embodiment can be selectively mounted over two configurable ski sections or selectively released from the two ski sections. The said ski sections form climb and glide travel modes (not shown). (See FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, 27).

FIG. 6 is an illustration of perspective views of the boot mounting base 90 and its ability to optionally and selectively connect in a quick-release and quick attaching manner to a “hike or glide” group consisting of a ski 100, a snowboard 200, a snowshoe 300, a touring ski hybrid 400 or split ski/board 400 by using the axle pivot pin 61. In one embodiment the axle pivot pin 61 is used as quick release touring bracket. In one embodiment a riding device may consists of climbing and sliding mounting plate positions on one device with the boot attached directly to the mounting base 90. In other words the pivot axle pin 61 can be removed from one location climbing mode or travel mode on the device releasing the boot mounting base 90 or 20 and then the boot mounting base 90 is placed in a second position and connected to the same device or separate device for a secondary different travel mode such as sliding or touring or snowshoeing.

The snowboard mounting base 61 interface 33 is mounted to the snowboard 200 with screws, bolts or rivets or other means. The axle pivot pin 61 docking areas 96 lock the mounting plate 61 to the interface 33 b in a snowboarding locked heel mode. Axle pivot pin 61 uses position 59 on the mounting base 90 and can be lined up to docking areas 96 on the snowboard 200 mounting base 90 interface 33 b and the axle pivot pin 61 is pushed into place through both the mounting base 90 lock position 59 and docking areas 96 in the interface 86. The ski 100 has mounting areas for the mounting base 90 in walls 86 and axle pin 61 docking areas 64 on the walls 86. The mounting base 90 can be attached with its touring axle pivot pin 61 at position 63 with the pivot pin 61 forming a free heel mode for a walking motion or the mounting base 90 can be attached at a secondary lock system rear of the touring axle position 63 such as axle lock position 59. The axle pivot pin position 59 is a locked pivot mode preventing the mounting base 90 from articulating in a walking motion. Basically the heel cannot move up and down in a walking motion when axle pivot position 59 is coupled to holes 64 on the ski wall 86.

A snowshoe 300 is pictured with an interface suited to accept the boot mounting plate 90 by way of axle pivot pin 61 through docking holes 106 on walls 86. A snowshoe ski hybrid device or split ski/board 400 with the ability to form a touring ski mode or a snowshoe mode and a locked heel mode by use of boot mounting plate 90, is pictured in 400. It also may contain one or more embodiments of the present invention including the use of the mounting plate 90 in a snowshoe mode, locked heel ski mode, and cross-country ski mode, or touring mode. Additionally, the mounting plate when removed from a device may be used with a cleat forming a crampon system (not shown).

The boot mounting plate 90 shown in FIG. 6 illustrates the ability for the mounting plate 90 to be universal in that in can attach and reattach to so many devices in so many positions. The straps 12 and 31 may be used in one embodiment for binding soft shelled boots to the mounting plate. In another embodiment a step-in system could be utilized in the universal mounting plate 90. In another embodiment at least one quick release boot connector could be used mounted to the boot mounting plate 90. In another embodiment the mounting base 90 is quick connected to a split ski board device 400 adjacent two configurable ski sections which selectively form climbing and gliding surfaces in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the boot mounting plate 90F, a touring ski 100, the boot mounting plate 90F, and the axle pivot pin 61. The axle pivot pin 61 is in the ski touring interface 86 transversely with axle pivot pin 61 docking the mounting plate 90F with tour mode 63 or 59. In a separate embodiment two axle pivot pins 61 could be docked simultaneously in 63 and 59 locking to areas of the boot mounting plate 90F at the same time. The boot mounting plate 90F has apertures 113 or windows directly located on surface 101 of the boot mounting plate 90F where footwear/boot/snowboard boot will rest when coupled to the binding system 20. The aperture windows 101 reduce the weight of the boot mounting plate 90F especially when constructed of a metal such as aluminum. Adjacent each aperture 113 are rib or flange like structures to maintain a structure. The apertures 113 also allow the bottom surface of the boot (not shown) when mounted to the boot mounting plate 90F have nothing in there between accept for the boot and the top of a riding device allowing snow to travel through or a separate flat material snow repelling device connected to either side of the aperture for keeping snow off of the binding (not shown). In the prior art there is a separate base binding plate connected via screws/bolts to the snowboard binding assembly and binding base which is very heavy, expensive, and cumbersome.

In one embodiment the boot mounting plate 90F may have an aperture or window in the heel region 248 with flange or wall structures around the aperture periphery for structure. This is for reducing weight or helping with lock placement with-in the boot bed or adjacent the boot bed of the boot mounting plate which is surface 101 as well as any surface the sole of the footwear or boot makes contact when mounted to the binding plate top surface. In another embodiment there is a second aperture or window in another portion of the boot binding plate 90F in FIG. 7 for securing a locking mechanism. So the snowboard boot mounting base 90F in FIG. 7 contains open window structures through the boot mounting base 90F itself which serve various purposes including weight reduction, locking features, and aesthetics. The boot mounting base 90F in one embodiment could contain apertures or windows 113 on the foot bed 101 with walls 115 extending upward or downward from the foot bed 101. In one embodiment connected to at least one of the walls 115 are at least one resilient strap or straps 12 and 31 for securing a boot to the mounting walls 90F. In a further embodiment the sole of the boot can be seen when attached to the boot mounting walls 90F through apertures or windows 113. In a separate embodiment the aperture or windows 113 in the boot mounting base 90F could be made in various shapes and sizes to carry out its nature of utility existence offering a purpose not yet found on current snowboard touring boot binding plates in the prior art that utilize a detachable touring pivot axle in the front half of the boot binding base 90F and a secondary locking structure for a locked heel mode rear of the touring pivot.

100 a touring ski snowshoe hybrid is illustrated with detachable front traction 117 which can attach and quick-release with the axle pivot pin 61 inserted into a plurality of positions including a front touring position 63 and a rear locked heel or pivotal snowshoe pivot 59. The front traction 222 is mounted to pivot dock 59 a on the traction 117 and 59 on the ski 100 to selectively lock the traction 222 to the underside of the ski 100 with the axle pivot pin 61. Also shown is a rear lock 119 which can also lock to the ski positioned to the underside of the touring ski 100. Front 222 and rear locks 119 also contain spike structures for gaining traction on winter precipitation such as snow and ice. An additional traction component which can be used is a climbing skin 224 can be removably coupled to the touring ski system shown in FIG. 7 or attached permanently. Finally, in one embodiment a selective heel lift 139 has at least one climbing bar coupled to the top surface of the heel lift to selectively rotate up or down dependent on the users desire of climbing a slope and reduce lower leg fatigue.

FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C are top perspective plan views of the boot mounting plate 90G in accordance with the present invention. The touring style snowboard/ski binding has a base plate 90G that can directly mount a boot on a portion surface 101 and rails 110 located and connected to the surface 101 with rails 110 supporting a quick-release quick attaching locking component or interface located and connect the locking component such as a axle pivot pin 61 to a separate sliding device such as a ski or snowboard. Rail 110 c structure portion is in the front half of the boot mounting plate 90G with touring axle pivot pin 61 docking position 63 which offers a position under the boot bed 101 or footwear boot sole plane (not shown).

In one embodiment the rail 110 e faces or touches only the sole surface of the boot with no other structures touching a portion of the top surface of the rail 110 e. At one end of the rail 110 c in the touring area 60 mounting holes 63 are located for docking and securing axle pivot pin 61. FIG. 17 is another illustration of this embodiment. The boot bed 101 is made higher than at least a portion of the axle pivot pin 61 docking location in the rail 110 allowing footwear boot to correctly pivot in a walking motion above and over the axis. This system is directly integrated with the boot mounting plate 90G. Furthermore, in combination with the touring pivot mode 63 is a selective optional locking heel mode 70 integrated into the boot mounting plate 90G to directly lock to a separate quick release locking component or interface on a sliding device to prevent the boot mounting plate 90G from pivoting in a walking motion. In one embodiment the top portion of the rail structures 110 e are not connected or touching any surface but face the bottom of a boot without any other structure there between. The rails 110 c may be configured to parallel the side wall 115 or the rails 110 may be perpendicular with the walls 115 with a portion of their structure below the plane or surface of the footwear boot bed 101. The rail 110, 110 c, 110 e, can be oriented in any form to carry out the and hold and support the mechanisms of locking and unlocking of the touring pivot pin 61 or portions of the boot mounting plate 90 in quick release and quick attaching fashion and the heel lock system in accordance with the present invention. It must be noted that the rail structures 110, 110 c, 110 e could be added separately or bolted to the boot mounting plate 90G in several different embodiments without leaving the scope of the present invention including separate pieces. Included with the rail design in a separate embodiment are walls or flanges 115 which rise above the boot bed 101 plane to secure straps at strap holes 24 as well as positioning the boot properly on the binding mounting plate 90. In one embodiment the sides 115 do not need flanges or walls but a side surface to place holes 24 (not shown). The boot mounting plate 90G in FIG. 7A has the ability to selectively tour as well as quick release the touring position at holes 59, 63 in the rails 110 and optional and quickly locking the heel 70 for a locked heel mode 70 if desired. This boot binding mounting plate 90G is very useful in the back country because it offers a lightweight multiple travel mode device with very little weight. It also offers locking mechanism areas below the boot bed 101 to carry out climb and sliding travel modes for a sliding device.

FIG. 7C shows a top plan view of a prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,851) boot mounting base 212 a for securing a snowboard boot binding base plate (not shown) to screw holes 39. The problem with this design is its inability to directly connect the snowboard boot sole directly over 212 b because of the requirement of an additional snowboard binding plate and screw/bolt connection thus adding weight, hassle, and expense. Axle 37 is shown to work in combination with the heel lockdown as one basic lock. In other words the binding has just one “clamp” function to move the mounting base from touring to sliding mode. One problematic result of the design is the clearance of space between the boot sole parked on a separate base from the touring pin axis. Additionally the mounting base 212 b for a snowboard boot binding plate prevents the ability to mount a snowboard boot directly to the mounting base 2012 b because of the need to first mount a snowboard boot binding plate for which provides boot connection means in accordance with the prior art of touring snowboard boot bindings.

FIG. 8 is a split ski/board 400 which has three modes of transportation in snow. The first is a sliding device or ski 100 for sliding down inclines when in locked heel mode as well as cross-country free-heel touring mode when heel is unlocked. There is also a snowshoe mode allowing the binding 20 to pivot through the plane or optional opening of the ski for climbing propulsion. The uniqueness of the touring ski hybrid split ski/board 400 is the ability its boot mounting plate 90 possesses in regards to allow selective lock and free heel modes in quick release and attach manner. Additionally, the boot binding 20 in FIG. 8 is a conventional snowboard binding high back 11, conventional snowboarding binding strap 12 in front and conventional snowboard binding strap in back 31 connected to 115. The boot mounting plate 90 which 11 and 12 are connected to has features which allow the boot mounting plate 90 to selectively tour in a walking free heel mode and also ski in locked heel mode. The pivot pin axle 61 has multiple locations in which to dock the axle pivot pin including 59 and 63 in rails 110. (see also FIG. 9)

FIG. 9 illustrates a snowshoe ski hybrid device or split ski/board. Important features in connection with one embodiment of the present invention is the top surface of the rails 110 face the boot sole when the boot is present on the mounting plate 90 with no other surface there between. The rails 110 are also attached to foot bed 110 in this embodiment. Pivot pin axle axes 63 and 59 can also be seen for multiple touring modes and supported by the rails 110. Lock 56 is pushed in a longitudinal motion parallel with flange 115 through rails or flanges 110 to engage and lock the heel of the mounting plate 61. The locking is all accomplished directly to the mounting plate 91 below the sole of the footwear or boot bed 101 in accordance with the present invention including in the box girder 195 below a portion of the boot bed 101. The touring ski hybrid split ski/board 400 has the ability without the need of separate special separate mounting plates or adaptors for the boot mounting plate 90 to connect to and carry out the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of boot mounting plate 90I in accordance with the present invention of a climb and glide equipped boot mounting plate 90. In one embodiment the axle pivot pin 61 is shown extended beyond the periphery of both sides of the mounting plate 90I. Features 22 in the form of a groove or hole on both sides of the axle pivot pin 61 allow attachment of locking features to the ends of the pivot axle for quick-release means so the axle pivot pin 61 can be moved from its position from a touring mode 63 or a secondary mode 59 or 70. In one embodiment C-clips 69 or cotter pins 23 are placed to in position 61 in FIG. 10 to selectively lock the axle pivot pin 61 in its docked position 63 in the boot mounting plate 90I. Rails 110 can be seen as well as walls 115 for stabilizing footwear on the boot mounting plate 90I. Rails 110 are connected to the boot bed 101 allowing locks to pass under the foot bed through the rails 110 to connect and disconnect climbing and sliding travel modes.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the boot mounting plate 90I illustrating the lock hole 70 for an axle pivot pin 61 to be inserted or even a detent clevis pin. Axle dock 63 is shown with the axle pivot pin 61 inserted and docked. Rail or walls 110 are shown below the plane or boot bed 101 of the boot mounting plate 90I and connected to or extend off portions of the boot bed 101 portion facing the terrain or ground. Flanges 115 are connected to or extend off the top side of the boot bed 101 or same structure which the boot sole makes contact with the boot mounting plate 90I also shown with strap mounting holes 24 on flanges 115. 303 is optional traction for a snowshoe mode.

FIG. 12 is a detailed side view of a boot mounting plate 90J in accordance with the present invention which over comes the draw backs of the prior art. Boot bed 101 supports a boot 99 on at least portions of its surface area directly or its apertures windows (not shown). Portions of the rails 110 extend off of the terrain facing bottom surface 101 and are connected to the bottom surface of the boot bed 101 of the boot mounting plate 90J and are below the surface area of the boot bed 101. The rail portion 110 e or top side of the rail is exposed for the boot 99 to face it directly or touch it in one embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of the snowboard boot binding device 201 axle pivot pin 1002 held to axle dock 1704 with the axle dock 1704 and the axle pin 1002 offset the main boot bed 203 of the mounting base 210 so that the pivot pin 1002 is suspended away from the boot bed 203 front. In one embodiment the mounting base 201 incorporates two locking positions that work independently from one another 180 and 181. The first position is a touring position 180 wherein the ski section 702 a and ski section 702 b are selectively separated. A second position is the slide mode position 181 wherein ski section 702 a and ski section 702 b are selectively joined forming a uniform sliding shape including a splitboard type device. The mounting base 201 is positioned adjacent the two configurable ski sections 202 and a snowboard boot (not shown) mounts directly over top and against boot bed 203. In a further embodiment the boot bed 203 may have holes, windows, openings, apertures, ribs or walls through the boot bed or above a top surface of the mounting base to provide quick release mechanisms 192, 1509 to pass there through. These quick release mechanisms can be one of a group consisting of a spring loaded mechanism, a pin, a lever, a projection, and the like. In further embodiments these mechanisms could move in a motion moving away from the boot bed 203 or moving close to the boot bed 203 of the mounting base 201. One motion moving a part 192, 1509 through the top of the mounting base 201. Another motion is moving parallel the longitude axis of the mounting base 201. Yet another motion is a motion transverse the longitude axis of the mounting plate with a quick release mechanism. Opened ski section 300 a and 300 b are shown which work with at least one mounting base 201 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a side view perspective of the mounting plate 90G in accordance with the present invention illustrating the upward bend angle 295 of the front portion of the mounting plate 90G shown with a bend angle of the main foot bed 101. This feature helps retain a mounted boot and its forward movement on the mounting plate 90G. Locking areas for touring modes are shown in axle pivot pin 61 docking area 63 allowing the mounting plate 90G to articulate at a specific toe region in a free heel touring mode. Axle pivot pin 61 docking hole 59 is shown as a locked heel pivot mode if the mounting plate 90G is resting on a ski base. If the mounting plate 90G is connected to a splitboard/ski then the docking hole 59 axle 61 position allows an additional articulating free heel touring mode. In a further embodiment locking areas may include a heel portion lock 70 connected to a box girder structure 195 at the rear of the mounting plate 90G. The box structure 195 is a series of walls 110 connected to one another and part of the foot bed 101. Snow shield 30 is a separate piece which can be permanently affixed to the mounting plate 90G to prevent snow from sticking to the underside of the mounting plate 90G or moving through the apertures or windows. The snow shield 30 can also be placed on other portions of the mounting plate 90G to serve the same purpose. It must be noted that the mounting plate 90G can have permanently connected structures affixed to its surface area to supply strength or separate binding and mounting plate 90G functions. In another embodiment an upward turned feature at the front half of the binding helps keep the touring pin 61 secure.

FIG. 14B is a top plan view of the boot mounting plate 90F in accordance with the present invention. Locking areas for touring modes are shown in axle pivot pin 61 docking area 63 allowing the boot mounting plate 90F to articulate at a specific toe region in a free heel mode. Axle pivot pin 61 docking hole 54 is shown as a locked heel pivot mode 70 if the boot mounting plate 90F is resting on a ski base. If the boot mounting plate 90F is connected to a splitboard/ski then the docking hole 59 axle position allows an additional free heel articulating touring mode. In a further embodiment locking areas may include a heel portion lock 70 connected to a box structure 195 at the rear of the boot mounting plate 90F. The box structure 195 is a series of flanges or at least one flange 110 connected to one another and part of the foot bed 101. It must be noted that the boot mounting plate 90F may have permanently connected structures affixed to its surface area to supply strength or separate binding and boot mounting plate 90F functions. In one embodiment apertures 192 can be added on the boot bed 101 to reduce weight, locking structure can move through, add aesthetics, and create an open window through which snow can move to touch the boot sole or other piece. In a further embodiment apertures 192 also provide grip for a mounted boot to keep it more stable on the boot mounting plate 90F. (also see FIG. 7C).

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the prior art. The prior art provides a snowboard boot binding plate 212 that mounts via bolts/screws (not shown) to a mounting base 201 with the touring pin 1002 underneath the surface of 201 and 212 with the snowboard boot above 212. The prior art is a sandwich of parts preventing a direct contact of the snowboard boot sole 213 to the at least one surface of touring pin 1002. The boot bed 203 of the prior art is not part of the mounting base 201 surface area and the boot sole is not able to face the axle 1002 directly.

FIG. 16 is a side plan view of a mounting axle pivot pin 1002 in accordance with the present invention. The axle pivot pin 1002 is an axle piece or rod piece which in one embodiment makes direct contact or at least faces directly the snowboard boot sole 213. Boot bed 201 in one embodiment the axle pin 1002 may represent the mounting base entirely as taught in earlier disclosers of this invention, “The mounting plate 201 is configured to receive various different types of binding systems, such as, but not limited to, snowboard binding systems, fixed heel ski binding systems, and free heel ski binding systems.

In a further embodiment, the mounting plate 201 may be incorporated into the sole of a boot or shoe. For example, a snowboard or hiking boot may be configured with a sole having a plurality of openings through which the axle 1002 may pass and thereby secure the boot to the base member 102.

The mounting plate 201, in one embodiment, comprises pivot points 1704 through which the axle 1002 pass in order to secure the mounting plate 201 to the base member 102. The axle 1002 is positionable and may be placed under the ball of the foot so that the mounting plate 201 pivots through the plane of the base member. Alternatively, the axle 1002 may be placed through the pivot points 1704 which results in the mounting plate pivoting above the plane of the base member 102. Such a configuration enables a skiing motion similar to telemark or cross-country skiing.” (See also FIGS. 1, 2 a, 3 a, 7 b, 25-30)

FIG. 17 Is an illustration of a direct snowboard boot to mounting base method, apparatus, and device in accordance with the present inventing. FIG. 17 Is a side view cross section of the mounting base 201 with a pin saddle 1003 curve structures 1003 which faces the axle 1002 when the axle 1002 is in its transverse position of the mounting base 201 longitudinal axis. In one embodiment the pin saddle 1003 faces the axle 1002 directly and the axle 1002 faces a portion of the boot sole 213 directly. This is advantageous because it is a direct boot to mounting base 203 interface. The axle 1002 is connected to the mounting base 201 and a configurable two section split ski system for touring and sliding (not shown) and the mounting base 201 able to hold boots directly including a snowboard boot. In another embodiment the curved structure of the pin saddle 1003 could be incorporated into the sole of the boot. The present invention discloses a pin saddle 1003 at the front half portion of the mounting base 203 but it could be placed at the rear half portion as well. (See also FIGS. 1, 2 a, 3 a, 7 b, 25-30)

FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of the split skiboard 400 in a touring ski mode with the mounting plate 90 of the present invention articulating on an axis 59 and axle 61. The mounting plate 90 has a another touring pivot 63 which lines up with touring mount hole 64 on wall 86 for an additional free heel mode for a snowboard boot binding mounting base 90 unit. The mounting plate 90 is shown articulating in a free heel mode on axle pivot pin 59 on a snowshoe type touring mode device. Detachable cleat 117 is shown connected to the mounting plate 90. In one embodiment a first axle pivot pin 61 is inserted and docked into touring pivot pin dock 63 interface at the same time a second axle pivot pin 61 is inserted into touring pivot dock 59 forming a locked heel configuration. The mounting plate 90 has quick release axle pivot pin 61 locking features below the foot bed 101. In one embodiment the wall or rail 115 has strap mounts 24 for securing strap systems. In another embodiment a step in configuration could be utilized. 1804 is a movable ski section which opens and closes the ski surface to change from touring mode to sliding modes allowing the binding to rotate through the device or above the device. Traction component 119 is removably coupled to the touring splitboard/ski 400 to offer further traction.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of the splitboard/ski 400 in a touring ski mode with the mounting plate 90 of the present invention. The touring pivot axle 63 is shown coupling the mounting plate 90 to the touring ski interface 86 allowing a free heel walking motion. Secondary locking position 59 is shown in an open position allowing the heel to move freely in the walking motion. If a second axle pivot pin 61 is docked in position 59 on the ski then the mounting plate 90 or articulation walking mode will be stopped and locked. Thus we see that the splitboard ski hybrid shown in FIGS. 18-19 has a releasable touring pivot by way of pivot axle pin 63 and secondary separate locking features 59 rear of the touring pivot 63 and a lock below the foot bed 101 all in the same mounting plate 90 which also includes boot connection means 12 mounted to the mounting plate 90 to secure a boot on top the foot bed 101. Climbing modes and gliding mode is achieved by one mounting plate 90. Ski section 1902 is shown forming a selective ski surface and plugging the touring mode window for which the mounting plate 90 may optionally pivot through in the snowshoe touring ski mode as depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20-21 is a side perspective view of a snowboard touring binding mounting plate 2104 for directly mounting a snowboard boot in accordance with the present invention. The mounting plate 2104 includes a touring pivot dock 2110 for a quick releasable axle pivot pin 61 (not shown). A secondary pivot dock 1602 is shown rear of the touring lock position 2110. Pivot dock is where axle pivot pin 61 can be inserted through a wall 86 connect to a ski or sliding device, touring device, or snowshoe device with the hole 1602 or 2110 to secure an axle pivot pin 61. Axle pivot pin position 1602 provides a free heel touring pivot position or a locked heel position dependent on what the user desires a climbing or sliding mode. A third lock position is shown in heel lock feature 70. The mounting plate 90 locking points 1602 and 70 are found behind the touring pivot 2110. Walls or rails 110 show lock supporting positions within the side rails or walls of 110 and below the foot bed 101 in accordance with the present invention though it has been explained that in a separate embodiment the locking positions could be above the foot bed 101.

In one embodiment deployable 2108 rotating toe piece including a traction spike and retractable 2106 traction spike 2102 can be utilized on the mounting plate 2104 for the touring mode and also a detached mounting plate 2104 from the riding device mode or crampon mode. In another embodiment the mounting base 2104 for mounting snowboard boots can also be mounting two at least two skis sections and the rotating toe piece 2102 available at the front half portion of the snowboard boot binding mounting base 2104.

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the snowboard boot mounting plate 90M in accordance with the present invention of a climb and glide equipped mounting plate 90M able to transition articulating pivot modes and lock heel modes quick-release style directly on the mounting plate 90M surface area without the need of interfaces or extra base plates and multiple stacked bolted parts. The axle pivot pin 61 retainer(s) is shown extended beyond the front boot bed portion of the mounting plate 90M with pin retainers 60 for supporting a touring mode pivot. Features 27 allow attachment of the pivot axle 61 for quick-release means so the axle pivot pin 61 to the plate either in a manufacturing step or other step so the mounting plate 90M can be moved from its position from a touring mode to a secondary travel ride or slide mode. Rails 110 can be seen stabilizing or supporting the locking mechanisms 70, 59, below the foot bed as well as walls 115 for stabilizing a snowboard boot on the mounting plate 90M. In one embodiment rails 110 are connected to and under the foot bed 101 or extend from the foot bed 101 allowing locks to pass under the foot bed through the rails to connect and disconnect climbing and sliding travel modes.

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of a touring ski plan in accordance with the present invention. Mounting plate 90 is shown anchored to the ski binding interface 64 of a ski 100 with axle pivot pins 61 in rear docking slot 59 offering a locked heel sliding mode because the pivot motion is prevented. When the axle pivot pin 61 is transferred to slot dock 63 the mounting plate 90 is able to pivot in a free heel walking motion about axis 63. It would be obvious to arrange other interface structures without departing from the invention of directly mounting a snowboard boot to a snowboard boot touring binding with the snowboard boot mounted directly to the ski touring interface(s) for slide or touring modes especially with a single mounting base with a touring mode retainer holding a quick release pin offset the snowboard boot bed and connected to at least two configurable ski sections.

FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of a snowboard 200 with a mounting plate 90 attached to the snowboard binding interface 33 with bolts or screws (not shown) through holes 46 to the top side of the snowboard. The mounting plate 90 can be mounted to the interface 33 by placing an axle pivot pin 61 through holes 96 on the snowboard binding interface 33 wall 86 and holes 59 and 63 on the mounting plate 90 locking the mounting plate 90 in a locked heel position. Again, It would be obvious to arrange other interface structures for connecting the binding without departing from the invention of directly mounting a snowboard boot to a snowboard boot touring binding with the snowboard boot mounted directly to the ski touring interface(s) for slide or touring modes especially with a touring mode retainer holding a quick release a pin offset the snowboard boot bed and connected to at least two configurable ski sections.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a direct snowboard boot mount mounting plate binding assembly 401. Binding assembly to be connected to the mounting plate 201 and above a configurable two or three part ski section system and sliding device in accordance with the present invention. The top perspective view of a mounting plate 201 with a touring mode section 60 at the axle pivot pin retainer 63 of the mounting plate 201 which accepts the detachable quick attaching pivot axle pin 61 in pin retainer 63 and allows the mounting plate 201 to attach to the top surface of a touring skiing device interface and detach from that location from the touring skiing device interface. The mounting plate 201 also has at least one secondary locking feature portion behind the touring pivot axle pin 61 location toward a more rear ward part of the mounting plate 201 then the touring position 60. This second locking feature 70 may be located on wall structures 110 below portions of the foot bed 101 on the mounting plate 201. In one embodiment a locking feature 61 moves in a through motion 15 through touring pin retainer 63 of the mounting plate 201 forming a transverse axle pivot pin 61 position on the mounting plate 201 longitudinal axis 216. In other words the touring mode 63 allows the axle pivot pin 61 to enter a portion of the mounting plate 201 with its two ends touching the pin retainers 60 of the mounting plate 201 when the axle pivot pin is in place in the touring mode 63.

In one embodiment the binding assembly consists of a heel support 11 and a high back 16 connected to the heel support 11. Also connected to the heel support 11 is rear strap 31. Heel support 11 is connected to the mounting plate 90 wall 115 at holes 24. Holes 24 on the flange 115 can also connect a second strap 12. Foot bed surface 101 is where the snowboard boot rests directly upon when mounted with the binding system to the foot bed. The toe region 512 portion of the mounting plate 201 has an aperture, hole or window, for a quick release feature to move there through. (see also FIG. 7 a, 7 b, 8, 14)

The axle pivot pin 61 includes coupling features to selectively lock the axle pivot pin 61 in the touring mode of the ski touring device. The coupling features for securing a portion of the axle pivot pin 61 to hold a quick-release lock anything suitable to quick-release or quick attach at least one portion of the axle pivot pin 61 to an interface in accordance with the present invention. The coupling features consist of at least one from the group consisting of a boot, a snowboard boot, a plate, a base, a configurable ski system consisting of two ski sections which may selectively separate in a touring mode or join in a uniform shape in accordance with the present invention.

It must be noted that one skilled in the art could utilize a multitude of embodiments without leaving the scope of the invention. The invention is unique in that it offers a direct lock and unlocking boot mounting plate 201 on a sliding device with the said mounting plate 201 intended for soft shelled boots primarily. The mounting plate 201 having a detachable touring pivot 63 or movable touring pivot 63 with a secondary locking mechanism 70 in a mounting plate 201 portion rear of the touring mode 63. Thus we see that the mounting plate 201 does not need a secondary snowboard binding base connected to it nor does it have the ability. The mounting plate 201 contains snowboard boot mounts and the climb and glide touring modes are made possible by the axle pivot pin 61 which lives in the surface area of the mounting plate 201 which constitute the basics of the invention.

FIG. 26 is a bottom perspective view of a snowboard boot binding 201 mounting plate in accordance with the present invention. The snowboard boot binding 201 has quick release climbing traction 1502. The binding 201 also has a touring mode 64 with touring pin retainer 1704 to selectively hold a mounting pin axle 1002. Mounting pin 1002 may also be moved to pin retainer 1002 touring position or locked heel position depending on if heel lock 1702 is engaged or not. Walls for securing the snowboard boot can also be seen as part of the design. Window or aperture in the 1702 region can also be seen in this embodiment drawing for securing a quick release heel lock. Snowboard boot binding 201 is very versatile allowing 4 positions of transportation across snow. A locked heel sliding stance with lock area 1702 and 1003 engaged, a secondary locked heel stance with 1704 and 1702 engaged, a free heel touring stance with 1702 and 1003 disengaged and 1704 engaged, and a secondary free heel touring stance with 1704 and 1702 disengaged while 1003 is engaged and finally, a detached mode or crampon mode wherein the snowboard boot binding 201 is detached from a ski device as just a crampon with 1502 attached. The touring pin retainer 64 is at the front portion of the mounting base 201 and contains curved structures which mate directly to the pin 1002.

FIG. 27 a is a top plan view of a snowboard boot binding 201 incorporates all of the features described in FIG. 26 snowboard boot binding 201. FIG. 27 snowboard boot binding 201 has 204 for mounting a snowboard boot directly to the mounting base 201. In one embodiment mounts 1102 are utilized for securing straps (not shown) and the straps for securing a snowboard boot (not shown) to the snowboard boot binding 201 top surface 202 and directly over windows 1509. Touring modes 1704 and 1002 are shown. Touring mode 1002 is shown securing a axle pin 1002 in rails 205 on the front half portion 202 of the snowboard boot binding 201. Rails 205 in the rear half 203 of the snowboard boot binding 201 secure heel lock components 107 and interfaces of the riding device. Aperture/window 1509 of the snowboard boot binding 201 secure a climbing cleat interface 1506. In one embodiment the snowboard boot binding 201 is mounted directly to a ski device interface via 1002 axle pin.

FIG. 27 b is a top plan view of a mounting base 212 found in the prior art. This mounting base requires screws, bolts or other hardware 44 s into holes 42 to secure a snowboard boot binding plate 212 to the mounting base (not shown). The snowboard boot binding plate then needs direct boot connection means not found on the mounting base 212 Pivot axle position 41 in the prior art lacks a structure offset the base to secure the pin or axle 41.

FIG. 27 c is a top plan view of a mounting base 201 and apertures, windows, or hole structures 192, 1509, and 113 through the mounting base 201 with which quick release locking structures may pass The structures may include in several embodiments, spring loaded mechanisms, mechanisms entering through the boot bed 203, mechanisms 192, 1509 once in place through the boot bed 203 may still face or make direct contact with a boot sole 205 and or boot tread 205. The said mounting base 201 also includes axle retainer docks 60 offset the front portion of the boot bed 203 in an optimal touring position in accordance with the present invention. The axle retainer dock(s) 60 holds the axle or pivot pin 61 adjacent the boot bed 203 offering a pivot point which articulates the mounting base 201 different from the prior art pivot point of mounting base 212 shown in the prior art figure of 27 b. Boot connection means (not shown) may be provided to hold the boot sole 205 to the base 203.

FIG. 28 is a top plane view of a split ski/board device “climbing/touring mode” 600 with a snowboard boot binding 201 mounted to the said split ski/board device 600 with axle pivot pin 1002 in the snowboard boot binding 201 and the split ski/board device 600 interface. The split ski/board device “climbing/touring mode” 600 has two ski sections 100 a/110 b which have two modes and positions of travel arrangement. The first travel arrangement mode is an “open” split ski climbing mode shown in FIG. 28 wherein the two ski sections 110 a/b are separated or split from each other forming a climbing mode while the snowboard boot binding 201 is also in a climbing mode interface. In one embodiment while in climbing mode 600 the heel lock lever 107 can be engaged in the heel region of the snowboard boot binding 201 preventing the snowboard boot binding 201 from articulating/rotating on axle 1002 and a further embodiment wherein the lock lever 107 lever is not engaging the snowboard boot binding 201 allowing the binding to freely move and articulate in a touring mode 1002 while connected to the split ski/board device touring or climbing/touring mode 600. When heel lock lever 107 is disengaged and unlocked from the snowboard boot binding 201 the binding can articulate in a walking motion while coupled to the split ski/board “climbing mode” 600. The ski device 600 has a front ski section 104 and a back ski section 106 that is generally shaped like a snowboard, skiboard, ski, or typical ski shape and the like. Rails and windows 203 in the snowboard boot binding 201 help with binding structure, locking mechanisms, supporting the boot and the like. (See also FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 30B, and FIG. 31)

FIG. 29 is a bottom plane view of a FIG. 28 climbing/touring 600 device transitioned into a sliding mode 700 split ski/board device “sliding mode” 700 with a snowboard boot binding 201 mounted to the said split ski/board device 700. The snowboard boot binding 201 mounted to and directly over the split ski/board device 700 two ski sections 702 a and 702 b. Said two ski sections have been locked with two ski section locks 107 locking two ski sections parallel to each under the snowboard boot binding forming a more uniform sliding or skiable surface and locked heel sliding stance for the rider of the split ski/board device 700 sliding mode. The ski shape of the sliding mode 700 could have side cut 708 of the ski edge to aid turning the ski device on snow. In a further embodiment the edge 708 could also have metal edging. The split ski/board device 700 has a front ski section 704 and a rear ski section 706 and the snowboard boot binding 201 mounted between the two ski sections 702 a and 702 b in accordance with the present invention and may be in the form of a board, ski, split ski/board, snowboard, touring ski, and the like. (see also FIGS. 9, 29, and 30A).

FIG. 30A is a top perspective view of a snowboard boot binding 201 mounted with axle pin 208 to a split ski/board device 100 in sliding mode 102. Two ski sections 110 locked side by side forming a uniform skiing surface with the snowboard boot binding positioned over the two ski sections 110 (see also FIG. 9, 29). Ski section hinges 108/112 assembly help with keeping the ski sections in a locked state. The snowboard boot binding 201 has features 204 for securing boot mounting devices to the binding 201. Heel lock 107 for the snowboard boot binding 201 locked heel mode 203 for sliding also secures the two ski sections 110 in the uniform sliding mode 102. Ski section lock 107 is shown on ski portion 106 and ski portion 104 allowing each ski section 110 at least two locks 107 to hold the ski sections 110 in a ski mode 102 though further embodiments could construct less or more ski lock or section scenarios. Touring mode interface 63 is shown along with front lock interface 208 with axle pin is also shown in the engaged state. Rail and aperture window 203 is shown as part of the snowboard boot binding 201 design in accordance with the present invention. Snowboard boot binding 201 is shown with an upward turned section at the toe region (202 FIG. 30B).

FIG. 30B is a split ski/board device 100 in touring mode/climbing mode 202. The two ski sections 110 are separated using ski section locks 107 and releasing ski lock 104 from ski lock 107 interface. The snowboard boot binding 201 is in the touring mode 208 with axle pivot pin allowing articulation in the walking attached mode of the split ski/board device. Strap mounts 206 are available on flanges 204. The rear portion of the mounting plate 201 has a design of girders, beams, or rails and the like.

FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of the snowboard boot binding 201 mounted to a split ski/board device 102 with the said device having at least two ski sections 110 which separate to form a touring mode. The two ski sections 110 are locked in ski mode (see FIGS. 9 and 29) by means of ski section 110 locks 107 and interface 408 and 406. The ski sections 110 in the climbing mode may have traction structure 404 to aid in touring and climbing. Additionally separate removable cleat traction 402 a can also be implemented to create even more traction on the split ski shaped device.

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of the two ski sections 110 forming a uniform sliding position with ski section lock 107 engaged. Ski lock interface 406 is engaged with lock interface 107 pins 502. The snowboard boot binding 201 (not shown) is positioned directly over ski sections 110 in accordance with the present invention. The ski lock 107 may have structures 302 aiding in a quick release motion to lock and unlock the ski sections 110. Such structures could be spring loaded, memory flex, buttons, tabs, levers, and the like. In one embodiment, the ski sections may be joined under the snowboard boot binding and connected to a portion of the snowboard boot binding.

FIG. 33A is an illustration of a ski shaped device.

FIG. 33B is an illustration of a ski shaped devices 102 ability to expand skiable tour able surface by moving a plurality of ski sections parallel to each other selectively away from each other for a touring mode or selectively joining together forming a skiable sliding mode of winter travel on a ski shaped devices in combination with the snowboard boot binding, mounting plate, or mounting base of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart 1200 illustrating a boot binding 1204 able to climb or glide 1206 a two section split ski/board touring device 1208 in a sliding mode 1209 or a touring mode 1210/1211 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 35 a is a top plan view of the touring pin 92 mounted to a ski device 2 and a mounting base 93 in the form of a boot sole mounting base 93 or separate mounting base 93 for holding a snowboard boot portion. Axles 85 can also be used to hold a boot sole 64 or separate mounting base to hold a portion of the snowboard boot construction 205. Rear lock 107 structures (not shown) for locked heel mode may also be utilized and rear touring dock or groove 59 b may provide a secondary touring position or secondary locked heel mode to prevent the heel from a pivot as wide as the touring mode 93. In a further embodiment, as previously stated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,904 this application continues from “the mounting plate 201 may be incorporated into the sole of a boot or shoe. For example, a snowboard or hiking boot may be configured with a sole having a plurality of openings through which the axle 1002 may pass and thereby secure the boot to the base member 102.

The mounting plate 201, in one embodiment, comprises pivot points 1704 through which the axle 1002 pass in order to secure the mounting plate 201 to the base member 102. The axle 1002 is positional and may be placed under the ball of the foot . . . . Alternatively, the axle 1002 may be placed through the pivot points 1704 which results in the mounting plate pivoting above the plane of the base member 102. Such a configuration enables a skiing motion similar to telemark or cross-country skiing.”

The Heel lift 3 also made available in another embodiment. Another embodiment is a positional axle 92 along the ski device 2 providing a plurality of boot mounting positions. (see FIGS. 17, 35-40)

FIG. 35 b is a bottom perspective view illustrating a snowboard boot 3102 with direct boot to mount base technology integrated into the boot sole wherein the touring pin or axle 52 may be adjacent a channel 53 running transverse the direction of a pointing toe in the mounted boot and the boot sole facing the axle pin directly and a further embodiment making direct contact with the touring pin. As previously described in FIG. 17 and shown throughout the present invention which allows the sole of a boot to face the touring pin while the touring pin is secured to a configurable ski device wherein the ski device has the use of two ski sections that move together or away based on a desire to tour or to slide over snow. The boot heel lock is represented with channel 53 b or heel lock 25. The function of this example work like embodiments of the mounting base 201 (not shown) yet they have been integrated into the boot sole.

FIG. 35 c is another embodiment of the mounting base pin to mounting base technology in accordance with the present invention The touring dock 93 for touring pin to be selectively placed in the touring dock 93 in the shape of a curve 53 in which the axle 52 may face or mate directly with a portion of the boot sole and a portion of the mounting base boot bed simultaneously and said touring dock 53 in the shape of a channel, curve, recess, concave structure, in the boot bed or adjacent the boot bed or foot bed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 36-37 is a side perspective view illustrating a snowboard boot 2400 with a direct mounting foot bed mounting base incorporated into the snowboard boot 2400 sole. Touring pin 52 passes through the boot sole and mates to the curve structure 93 built into the boot sole to retain the touring pin 52. Heel lock down 25 is shown on the back portion of the boot 2400.

FIG. 38 is a side perspective illustration of a snowboard boot 2400 in accordance with the present invention. Mounting base 2400 is incorporated into the sole of the snowboard boot 2402. Touring mode 93 b has a slot for placing the touring pin (not shown) to allow an alternative stance on a riding device. Heel lock down 25 region is also shown as being present on the snowboard boot 2400. In other words the utility found in the mounting base 201 may also be found in the boot sole 2400 to carry out the present invention of directly connecting the boot sole to an axle with the axle connected to a riding and sliding device interface that consists of two configurable ski members forming climbing and gliding modes.

FIG. 39 is a side perspective view illustrating an embodiment of snowboard boot 2400 is also shown mounted to the ski touring device 31 whereon the snowboard boot is mounted directly to axle pin area 20. If 93 a is used the boot may articulate in a larger range of pivotal degrees. When the snowboard boot is utilizing slot 93 a the pivotal range of degrees is much smaller. In one embodiment the pivotal range is almost at a locked heel stance or non-pivotal on the riding device and the up and down motion of the heel is very limited. When the slot 93 b is used the up and down touring/walking motion of the heel is greater. The boot moves vertically down onto the touring pin to engage it so that the touring pin passes through the boot sole into the channel within the boot.

FIG. 40 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting base integrated into the snowboard boot sole 121 of the snowboard boot mounting base 90. Touring pin 77 is located at the toe and allows the snowboard boot 90 to connect to a ski touring device when the axle pin is transversely placed through the longitudinal axis of the boot sole 121 allowing a portion of the axle pin to penetrate the periphery of the boot sole so that either side of the touring pin is connected to the riding device. Pivot pin 64 allows a snowshoe position pivot or if the Pivot pin 64 is holding the snowboard boot atop a touring ski in pivot 64 the pivot will be very limited and in a further embodiment the axle 64 will not allow the snowboard boot to pivot on the riding or touring device. One reason for the inability to be able to pivot in 64 when mounted to a ski (not shown) is the front portion of the boot will be touching the top surface of the ski preventing a walking motion. Heel lock 25 may also be provided to lock the walking motion of the snowboard boot 90 when coupled to a ski touring device.

FIG. 41 is a top side view illustrating a touring snowboard boot mounting base 201 with the snowboard boot 213 directly over top the mounting base 201. Boot connection means (not shown) secure the boot 213 to the mounting base 201. Touring mode 180 is facilitated in one of two ways. First, by a pivotal Axis 1002 allows a touring pin 61 connection to the mounting base 201. Touring pin 61 can reside in a cradle 1003, saddle 1003, or curved structure 1003 curving from the boot bed 203. In one embodiment a portion of the boot sole 205 can face the upward facing touring pin 61 portion while the bottom facing opposite side the upper facing touring pin 61 faces mounting base 201 saddle structure 1003. Second touring mode 180 is facilitated with another embodiment with which the mounting base 201 has touring pin docks 1704 offset the boot bed 203 in which to selectively mate a touring pin 61 so that the mounting base 201 may articulate in a walking motion while connected to a configurable ski touring device. In another embodiment the mounting base has a functional aperture, window, or hole 192, 1509, 113, for facilitating movement of a quick release object through the boot bed 203. In a further embodiment the mounting base 201 may connect over top two sectional skis 400 in accordance with then present invention. One skilled in the art may cover the touring pin so that it surface never faces the boot sole of boot 213, rearrange the pin position, or the pin retainers. However, the broader aspect of the present invention is the ability to directly mount a snowboard boot directly to the interface contained in 201 in a removable coupled manner over a configurable ski device which opens and closes a skiable sliding surface with at least two ski section pieces.

REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE DRAWINGS

-   -   2 axle hole     -   3 heel riser     -   6 touring mode in a split ski device     -   10 longitudinal axis locking motion     -   11 rear strap connector bridge     -   12 front strap     -   15 transverse locking motion     -   16 high back     -   20 snowboard binding assembly     -   22 permanent locking feature     -   23 cotter pin     -   25 heel lock     -   24 strap connector hole     -   27 axle connective feature     -   30 mounting base cover     -   31 strap     -   32 snowboard boot binding plate     -   33 prior art binding rear     -   34 prior art binding front     -   36 prior art strap connector     -   37 prior art strap mount     -   39 prior art boot binding plate mounting holes     -   41 Prior art touring pivot     -   40 prior art rear lock hole     -   42 prior art bolt holes for snowboard binding plate     -   45 prior art touring pivot region     -   43 prior art puck heel catch     -   44 s screw     -   44 w washer     -   44 n nut     -   46 touring ski bracket mount hole     -   48 touring bracket pad mount holes     -   52 a-b axle pin     -   53 step-in interface for snowboard boot binding     -   53 quick release channel or groove     -   56 dual pointed lock lever     -   59 second touring axis     -   59 a cleat axle connect     -   59 b rear touring dock or groove     -   60 touring region     -   61 axle pin     -   63 touring axis     -   64 ski bracket touring axis     -   66 rear axle lock or axle dock position     -   67 touring ski device heel lock down     -   68 strap connector     -   69 c clip to connect axle     -   70 rear lock hole aperture     -   71 touring ski lock heel hole     -   72 rear lock lever     -   75 “same direction” two pointed lock     -   76 touring ski integrated bracket     -   77 rear window lock     -   80 touring ski rear interface heel lock structure     -   84 touring bracket pad     -   85 touring bracket screws     -   86 touring ski interface     -   90 snowboard boot mounting base     -   90 a mounting base     -   90 b mounting base     -   90 c mounting base     -   90 d mounting base     -   90 e mounting base     -   90 f mounting base     -   90 i mounting base     -   90 m mounting base     -   93 touring dock or groove     -   96 snowboard mounting plate interface     -   99 boot     -   100 split ski device     -   100 a touring ski bottom surface     -   101 mounting base     -   101 b mounting base boot sole angle on binding structure     -   102 configurable ski sections     -   104 ski section lock     -   106 snowshoe interface     -   107 spring loaded lever lock     -   110 rail     -   110 ski section     -   110 a ski section open     -   110 b ski section closed     -   212 a is a prior art mounting base for a snowboard boot binding         mounting plate     -   113 window for quick release structures moving through     -   115 mounting base wall     -   115 heel support     -   117 rear cleat     -   119 cleat     -   119 rear lock     -   125 pin axle mounting structure     -   126 heel structure     -   130 toe pedal     -   139 heel riser     -   140 mounting plate portion     -   180 tour mode position     -   181 slide mode position     -   192 mounting base windows     -   195 heel side wall     -   200 snowboard     -   201 mounting base     -   202 configurable ski sections     -   203 boot bed     -   204 mounting base wall     -   205 boot sole or boot base     -   206 mounting base strap mount holes     -   212 prior art snowboard binding plate     -   213 snowboard boot     -   214 Snowboard boot touches or faces the axle pin directly     -   222 front cleat     -   224 climbing skin     -   248 heel support     -   295 toe angle     -   299 foot bed angle     -   300 configurable ski section     -   300 a left ski section     -   300 b right ski section     -   302 spring loaded lever     -   303 toe cleat     -   400 split ski     -   401 snowboard boot binding     -   402 crampon     -   404 ski section traction     -   406 ski section lock interface     -   408 ski section lock interface     -   502 two pointed mounting base lock & ski section lock     -   512 binding base boot bed toe angle     -   600 split ski/board ski sections joined     -   700 split ski/board ski sections separated     -   702 a right ski section closed position     -   702 b left ski section closed position     -   900 mounting base     -   1002 touring axis     -   1003 cradle or curved axle support     -   1509 mounting base windows     -   1704 axle dock offset boot bed     -   1705 curved pin retainer     -   1804 open ski section     -   1902 closed ski section     -   2000 climbing skin     -   2400 snowboard boot with integrated mounting base     -   2400 a snowboard boot with integrated mounting base in the sole     -   2400 b snowboard boot with integrated mounting base in the sole     -   2401 snowboard boot step-in interface with mounting base     -   2702 snowboard boot with integrated mounting base     -   3102 snowboard boot

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple positional binding for coupling a user's snowboard boot to a split ski board touring device, the split ski board touring device configured to traverse over snow and ice covered terrain, the binding comprising: a mounting base having a portion of a boot sole to rest directly upon, the mounting base comprising a first mounting element adjacent the boot bed front portion and said first mounting element of the mounting base touches at least a portion of an axle, and, a second mounting element rearward portion of the mounting base behind the first mounting element; a first mounting feature engageable with the first mounting element, wherein the first mounting feature is operable to detachably couple the mounting base to a first binding interface on the split ski board touring device and wherein the mounting base is rotatable about the first mounting feature when the first mounting feature is engaged with the first mounting element; and the second mounting feature rearward the first mounting feature is operable to detachably couple the mounting base to a second mounting element on the ski touring device; wherein the mounting base is selectively coupleable to the ski touring device in a plurality of modes comprising a free heel mode, wherein the first mounting feature is coupled to the first binding interface and engaged with the first mounting element and the second mounting feature is detached from the second binding interface and disengaged from the second mounting element, and, wherein the mounting base is pivotable about the first mounting feature and, wherein the first mounting feature is in the form of a pivot axle wherein a section of the pivot axle is held in the axle retainer part of the mounting base adjacent the boot bed or foot bed of the mounting base in the free heel tour mode, and, a locked heel mode, wherein at least the second mounting feature restricts pivoting walking movement of the mounting base, and a transition mode, wherein at least one of the first and second mounting features are decoupled from ski touring device, and, a boot bed quick release object, wherein at least one aperture, hole, or, window in the snowboard binding boot bed mounting base allows at least one quick release object to pass selectively there through with the boot sole mounted directly over top positioning the quick release object between a portion of the boot sole and a portion of the split ski board touring device.
 2. The multiple positional binding of claim 1, wherein the mounting base is adjacent to two configurable ski sections configurable between a ride mode and a tour mode, the ride mode maintaining the two ski sections in a locked parallel configuration wherein the two ski sections are in close proximity to one another forming a single general sliding surface establishing the ride mode; and, a touring mode wherein the two ski sections are unlocked from ride mode to allow the two ski sections increased parallel distance from each ski section allowing space between the ski sections establishing the touring mode, and, allowing the snowboard boot binding base pivotal walking motion.
 3. The multiple positional binding of claim 1, wherein the mounting base holding the snowboard boot directly comprises at least one opening in the mounting base surface area to engage at least one of two available configurable ski section interfaces with the mounting base realeasably mountable thereon in a ride position of the positional binding over at least one of the two configurable ski sections.
 4. The multiple positional binding of claim 1, wherein the first mounting feature comprises a first axle for touring mode and a second mounting feature coupling the second mounting feature directly to the mounting base, and a third mounting feature coupling a third mounting feature directly to the mounting base wherein the third mounting feature is a separate structure then the second mounting feature to secure the positional binding to the ski touring device in a removably coupled manner.
 5. The multiple positional binding of claim 1, where in the mounting base has at least one axle retainer protruding forward off of the front portion of the mounting base in the toe region, wherein, the at least one protruding projection holds the at least one axle wherein the projection is touching the at least one axle and holding the axle and pivotal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounting base.
 6. The multiple positional binding of claim 5, wherein the protruding axle retainer of the mounting base touches the at least one axle from the axle bottom side with the boot sole directly adjacent the axle top side with no mounting base material there between and a portion of the boot sole directly adjacent a portion of the axle.
 7. The multiple positional binding of claim 1, wherein the first mounting feature and at least the second or a third mounting feature utilize a quick release locking mechanism that is selected from the group consisting of a cotter pin, a c-clip, a threaded screw, a bolt, a hinge, a bend in the axle end, a pin, a spring loaded mechanism, a lever, an axle, a snapping mechanism, a latch, a protrusion, a lip, a wall, a rail, at least one curved feature that is mateably engaged with the first pin, a two pointed pin system with both points pointed in the same direction to selectively lock the mounting base to the ski touring device, or a detent.
 8. The multiple positional binding of claim 1, wherein the first mounting element comprises a touring mode with an axle to rotate the mounting base over a configurable ski, and, the axle is held in at least two mounting base axle retainers offset the mounting base holding either side of the axle, and, a gap between the two axle retainers, wherein the gap has no mounting base material in the center region or longitudinal axis area of the mounting base and the axle maintaining a bridge position between the axle retainers while in a touring mode wherein the gap faces boot tread directly or other material.
 9. The multiple positional binding of claim 1, a touring snowboard boot binding comprising; a mounting base to mount the snowboard boot thereto, said mounting base with a touring mode offering free heel travel, and, said mounting base with a locked heel mode for a riding or sliding mode, and, at least two projections facing the same direction which work with the mounting base to manually removably couple the mounting base to a configurable ski device in a manually moving manner, and, said projections are connected to a quick release mechanism, and, wherein the snowboard boot binding is adjacent to at least two configurable ski sections, and, wherein the boot binding is mounted adjacent at least two configurable ski sections wherein the two ski sections can disconnect a first travel mode to form a second travel mode of the first and at least second ski configurable sections.
 10. A split ski board device comprising at least two configurable ski sections supporting a snowboard boot mounting base directly, device comprising; the at least two configurable ski sections configurable between a ride mode and a tour mode, the ride mode maintaining the at least two ski sections in a locked parallel configuration wherein the at least two ski sections are in close proximity to one another forming a single general sliding surface with the mounting base in a locked heel mode establishing the ride mode, and, a touring mode wherein the at least two skis sections are unlocked from ride mode to allow the at least two skis sections increased parallel distance from each other allowing space between the two skis establishing the touring mode, and, allowing the boot mounting base a pivotal walking motion tour mode, and, the mounting base front portion having at least one axle retainer adjacent or part of the mounting base boot bed and holding the axle transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounting base and wherein the axle retainer holding the axle axis has at least one structure holding on at least one area of the transverse span of the axle surface at an axle width greater than ⅛ inch touching the at least one area of the axle span. wherein a boot is removably coupled directly to the mounting base.
 11. The device of claim 11, wherein the mounting base portion retaining or touching the axle is mated or adjacent to the axle in mating, adjasent, or touching shapes from a group consisting of at least one of the following; curved, square, asymmetric, symmetric, boot tread, flat, textured, projected, or any form forming a mating, adjasent, or touching surface for a pin or axle and the axle allows the mounting base a walking touring mode.
 12. The device of claim 11, A split ski board device comprising two configurable ski sections supporting a snowboard boot mounting base, device comprising; two configurable ski sections configurable between a ride mode and a tour mode, ride mode maintaining the two skis sections in a locked parallel configuration wherein the ski sections are in close proximity to one another forming a single general sliding surface establishing the ride mode; and, a touring mode wherein the two skis sections are unlocked from the ride mode to allow the two ski sections increased parallel distance from each ski section allowing space between them establishing the touring mode, and, allowing the snowboard boot base pivotal walking motion while the two ski sections are selectively separated, and, a quick release locking mechanism object which passes up and down through the top or bottom side of mounting base boot bed allowing a portion of the locking mechanism to move down through the upside boot sole facing top portion of the snowboard boot mounting base or sideways through the side of the snowboard boot mounting base; and, a touring axle at a position transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounting base to provide a free heel walking mode, and, wherein at least one portion of the mounting base has an aperture, hole, or window adjacent a mounted boot sole.
 13. Device of claim 17, a snowboard boot sole faces a portion of a locking mechanism directly when the at least one quick release object is inserted through the boot bed or top portion of the mounting base.
 14. Device of claim 11, wherein the mounting base has at least one axle retainer adjacent the mounting base boot bed wherein the axle retainer holding the axle axis has at least one wall running transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounting base and wherein the transverse wall is parallel the touring axis, and wherein the at least one wall is holding on at least one area of the transverse span of the axle.
 15. Device of claim 11, wherein the touring mode of the mounting base is independently locked and unlocked from the riding mode heel lock and unlock with two separate locking mechanisms or movements engaging the mounting base.
 16. A snowboard boot touring binding device comprising, a mounting base for supporting the boot directly to the said mounting base, and, the said boot is mounted adjacent to two ski sections and the said two ski sections configurable to selectively join each other forming a uniform sliding surface with the boot mounting base mounted above the selectively joined two ski sections, and, to selectively separate the two ski sections creating a space between the two separated ski sections, and, while the two ski sections are separated the mounting base may articulate in a walking touring motion, and, wherein the walking touring motion is provided by at least one axle placed above at least one surface on the top side of the mounting base adjacent the boot bed or boot sole, and, wherein a portion of the top side of the mounting base surface area has a saddle or cradle facing upward an adjacent mounted boot sole with which the axle is adjacently mounted, and, said axle while adjacently mounting the saddle cradle like structure provides articulation of the mounting base about the axle providing a walking touring motion while removably coupled to a touring mode.
 17. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one quick release mechanism moves through an aperture, window or hole in mounting base areas from the group of positions consisting of at least one of; the top of the mounting base, side of the mounting base, back of the mounting base, front of the mounting base, middle of the mounting base, the periphery of the mounting base, bottom of the mounting base, or the center of the mounting base.
 18. The device of claim 18, wherein the quick release mechanism is from the group consisting of at least one mechanism including a lever, pin, spring loaded mechanism, a bolt, a mating structure, a latch, a dual pin structure, a detent, and the like.
 19. A split ski board device comprising at least two configurable ski sections adjacent a boot mounting base directly, device comprising; the at least two configurable ski sections configurable between a ride mode and a tour mode, ride mode maintaining the at least two ski sections in a locked parallel configuration wherein the two ski sections are in close proximity to one another forming a single general sliding surface establishing the ride mode; and, a ski section unlock mode wherein the at least two skis sections are unlocked from ride mode to allow the at least two skis sections changed distance from each other allowing space between them establishing a new position ski section mode, and, the mounting base holding a boot directly and having at least one axle retainer on a portion of the mounting base in the toe region and directly adjacent the mounting base boot bed, and the axle maintaining a touring pivot walking mode of the mounting base on the ski section ski board touring device, wherein, the axle in the axle retainer holds the axle transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounted boot. wherein a boot is removably coupled directly to the mounting base, and, wherein the mounting base which directly supports the boot is removable coupled to the ski section ski board device.
 20. The device of claim 21, wherein the mounting base is from a group consisting of a boot, a boot sole, boot tread, a boot base, or a boot mounting base for a boot or foot to rest directly upon.
 21. The device of claim 21, wherein there is a locked heel mode in the ride mode. 